Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer, turneth away wrath, but a cutting word raiseth anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise, adorneth knowledge, —but, the mouth of dullards, belcheth out folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3 In every place, are the eyes of Yahweh, observing the evil and the good.
The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of the tongue, is a tree of life, but, crookedness therein, a grievous wound in the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A foolish [son], spurneth the correction of his father, but, he that heedeth a reproof, sheweth prudence.
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 The household of the righteous man, is a great treasure, but, in the increase of the lawless, is disturbance.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise, scatter abroad knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, is not right.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, but, the prayer of the upright, is his delight.
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 An abomination to Yahweh, is the way of the lawless, but, the pursuer of righteousness, he loveth.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is, grievous correction, for him that forsaketh the right path, He that hateth rebuke, shall die.
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Hades and destruction, are before Yahweh, how much more then, the hearts of the sons of men. (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)
12 A scoffer, loveth not, one who reproveth him, unto the wise, doth he not go.
A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart, maketh a pleasing countenance, —but, in sorrow of heart, is a stricken spirit.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of the intelligent, seeketh knowledge, but, the mouth of dullards, feedeth on folly.
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted, are sorrowful, but, a cheerful heart, is a continual banquet.
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is a little, with the reverence of Yahweh, than great treasure, and disquietude therewith.
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is an allowance of herbs, and love, there, than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man, stirreth up strife, but, he that is slow to anger, calmeth contention.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard, is like a thorn hedge, but, the path of the upright, is a raised road.
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son, maketh a glad father, —but, a dullard, despiseth his own mother.
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly, is joy to him that lacketh sense, —but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Plans, are frustrated, for lack of consultation, but, by the multitude of counsellors, shall counsel, be established.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy, in the answer of his own mouth, and, a word in its season, —how good!
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
25 The house of proud men, will Yahweh tear down, but he will maintain the boundary of the widow.
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 An abomination to Yahweh, are the plottings of the wicked, but, with the pure, are sayings of sweetness.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He, troubleth his own house, who graspeth with greed, but, he that hateth gifts, shall live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous, studieth to answer, but, the mouth of the lawless, belcheth out mischiefs.
The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Far off is Yahweh, from the lawless, but, the prayer of the righteous, will he hear.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The sparkling of bright eyes, rejoiceth the heart, Good news, giveth marrow to the bones.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life, in the midst of the wise, shall remain.
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.
32 He that declineth correction, despiseth his own soul, but, he that heareth reproof, gaineth sense.
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility.
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honour is humility.
