Proverbs — Chapter 15

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

5A fool despiseth his father`s correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; [And] he that hateth reproof shall die.

11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart [hath] a continual feast.

16Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.

20A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

22Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!

24To the wise the way of life [goeth] upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

26Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words [are] pure.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.

28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; [And] good tidings make the bones fat.

31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

32He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor [goeth] humility.

1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.

4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse speech breaks the spirit.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.

6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked will be ruined.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

8The Lord abhors the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9The Lord abhors the way of the wicked, but he will love those who pursue righteousness.

10Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die.

11Death and Destruction are before the Lord— how much more the hearts of humans!

12The scorner will not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.

13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

14The discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth and turmoil with it.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred.

18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway.

20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

21Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.

22Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established.

23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time—how good it is!

24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

25The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow.

26The Lord abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure.

27The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body.

31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

32The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility.

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.

3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.

8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.

11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

13A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.

17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.

26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.