Proverbs, 15

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

1. A kind answer soothes anger; while a cutting word increases wrath.

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

2. The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge, but the mouth of fools spreads stupidity.

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

3. The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, watching the good and the evil.

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

4. The pacifying tongue is a tree of life, while the viper's tongue destroys the heart.

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

5. Paternal correction is scorned by the fool, but the one who listens shows discretion.

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

6. Abundance resides in the house of the virtuous, but disgrace descends on the profits of the wicked.

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

7. Wise men's lips sow knowledge whereas the fool's thoughts are not safe.

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

8. Yahweh detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but listens to the prayer of the honest man.

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

9. Yahweh abhors the conduct of the wicked but loves him who seeks virtue.

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

10. Correct severely him who strays from the way; whoever hates being rebuked will die.

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

11. Yahweh sees into hell and the abyss; how much more into the hearts of the sons of men!

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

12. The mocker does not like being reprimanded; he does not go to the wise.

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

13. A glad heart brightens the face, a sad one weighs down the spirit.

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

14. A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

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

15. Every day is evil to the afflicted one; while the happy heart is always feasting.

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

16. Better to have little but fear the Lord than to have a fortune accompanied by anxiety.

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

17. Better to have vegetables where there is love than to have a fattened ox with nothing but hatred.

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

18. The hotheaded man provokes disputes, while the one slow to anger reconciles differences.

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

19. The way of the lazy man is strewn with thorns, but the path of hard workers is a spacious road.

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

20. The wise son is his father's joy, the foolish man despises his mother.

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

21. Foolishness appeals to the man with no sense but the discerning man goes on his way.

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

22. Plans fall through for lack of deliberation; a multitude of counselors ensures success.

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

23. Happy is he who knows how to answer. Welcome indeed is the apt word!

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

24. To the discerning man, the way of life leads upward; he will be saved from the place of darkness below.

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

25. Yahweh tears down the house of the proud, but he strengthens the widow's boundaries.

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

26. Yahweh detests corrupt designs but words of goodness are pleasing to him.

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

27. He who craves dishonest gain brings trouble on his house; he who accepts no tempting bribes will live.

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

28. The man of upright heart thinks before he speaks, the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

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

29. Yahweh stays far away from the wicked but hears the prayer of the virtuous.

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

30. A kind look delights the heart, good news revives one's strength.

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

31. The ear which listens to helpful correction is found among the wise.

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

32. He who ignores correction despises himself, he who heeds the reprimand acquires discernment.

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

33. The fear of Yahweh is a school of wisdom; humility precedes praise.