Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
An insightful mind looks for knowledge, but stupid people feed on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
It's better to respect the Lord and only have a little than to have plenty of money and the trouble that comes with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
The way of lazy people is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the good is an open highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
A good answer makes people happy—it's great to say the right thing at the right moment!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
Life's path for the wise leads upwards, so that they can avoid the grave below. (Sheol h7585)
25 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
The Lord pulls down the house of the proud, but he protects the boundaries of the widow's property.
26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but he honors the words of the pure.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
Good people think how best to answer questions, but stupid people say all kinds of evil things.
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
If you ignore instruction you have no self-esteem, but if you listen to correction you gain understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
