Proverbs 15

1 A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.

By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge. But the mouth of the senseless gushes with foolishness.

Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.

3 In every place, the eyes of the Lord consider good and evil.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A peaceful tongue is a tree of life. But that which is immoderate will crush the spirit.

A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.

5 A fool laughs at the discipline of his father. But whoever preserves rebukes will become astute. In abundant justice, there is very great virtue. But the intentions of the impious will be eradicated.

A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.

6 The house of the just has very great strength. And in the fruits of the impious, there is disorder.

In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise shall disseminate knowledge. The heart of the foolish will be dissimilar.

The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.

8 The sacrifices of the impious are abominable to the Lord. The vows of the just are appeasing.

The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.

9 The way of the impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.

The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.

10 Doctrine is evil to those who abandon the way of life. Whoever hates correction shall die.

There is bitter punishment for him who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of teaching.

11 Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)

Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men! (Sheol h7585)

12 He who corrupts himself does not love the one who afflicts him, nor will he step toward the wise.

The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.

13 A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, the spirit is cast down.

A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of the wise seeks doctrine. And the mouth of the foolish feeds on ignorance.

The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but foolish things are the food of the unwise.

15 All the days of the poor are evil. A secure mind is like a continual feast.

All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures and dissatisfaction.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.

17 It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.

18 A short-tempered man provokes conflicts. Whoever is patient tempers those who are stirred up.

An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.

19 The way of the slothful is like a hedge of thorns. The way of the just is without offense.

Thorns are round the way of the hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway.

20 A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his mother.

21 Folly is gladness to the foolish. And the prudent man sets his own steps in order.

Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.

22 Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.

Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.

23 A man rejoices in the verdict of his own mouth. And a word at the right time is best.

A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!

24 The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell. (Sheol h7585)

Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld. (Sheol h7585)

25 The Lord will demolish the house of the arrogant. And He will make firm the borders of the widow.

The house of the man of pride will be uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow.

26 Evil intentions are an abomination to the Lord. And pure conversation, most beautiful, shall be confirmed by him.

Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.

27 Whoever pursues avarice disturbs his own house. But whoever hates bribes shall live. Through mercy and faith, sins are purged. But through the fear of the Lord, each one turns aside from evil.

He whose desires are fixed on profit is a cause of trouble to his family; but he who has no desire for offerings will have life.

28 The mind of the just meditates on obedience. The mouth of the impious overflows with evils.

The heart of the upright gives thought to his answer; but from the mouth of the evil-doer comes a stream of evil things.

29 The Lord is distant from the impious. And he will heed the prayers of the just.

The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the soul. A good reputation fattens the bones.

The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.

31 The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.

The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.

32 Whoever rejects discipline despises his own soul. But whoever agrees to correction is a possessor of the heart.

He who will not be controlled by training has no respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.

33 The fear of the Lord is the discipline of wisdom. And humility precedes glory.

The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.