Proverbs 15
1 A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
6 The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men? (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
14 The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up.
19 The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without offence.
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings ] [sins are purged away; ] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.
28 The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked over floweth with evils.
The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof possesseth understanding.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
