Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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 commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
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 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
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 Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then 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 scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not 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 makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
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 sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal].
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (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 houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
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 heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
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 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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 rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
