Proverbs 15
1 A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs 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 adorns knowledge. But the mouth of the senseless gushes with foolishness.
The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
3 In every place, the eyes of the Lord consider good and evil.
The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 A peaceful tongue is a tree of life. But that which is immoderate will crush the spirit.
The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
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 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 has very great strength. And in the fruits of the impious, there is disorder.
In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise shall disseminate knowledge. The heart of the foolish will be dissimilar.
The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifices of the impious are abominable to the Lord. The vows of the just are appeasing.
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 impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.
The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 Doctrine is evil to those who abandon the way of life. Whoever hates correction shall die.
The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men! (Sheol h7585)
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? (Sheol h7585)
12 He who corrupts himself does not love the one who afflicts him, nor will he step toward the wise.
An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
13 A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, 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 seeks doctrine. And the mouth of the foolish feeds on ignorance.
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 and dissatisfaction.
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 called to vegetables with charity, 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 short-tempered man provokes conflicts. Whoever is patient tempers those who 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 like a hedge of thorns. The way of the just is without offense.
The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.
A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 Folly is gladness to the foolish. And the prudent man sets his own steps in order.
The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
22 Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
23 A man rejoices in the verdict of his own mouth. And a word at the right 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].
24 The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell. (Sheol h7585)
The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. (Sheol h7585)
25 The Lord will demolish the house of the arrogant. And He will make firm the borders of the widow.
The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
26 Evil intentions are an abomination to the Lord. And pure conversation, 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 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.
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 meditates on obedience. The mouth of the impious overflows 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 distant from the impious. And he will heed 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 rejoices the soul. A good reputation fattens the bones.
31 The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32 Whoever rejects discipline despises his own soul. But whoever agrees to correction is a possessor of the heart.
He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.
33 The fear of the Lord is the discipline of wisdom. And humility precedes glory.
The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
