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Proverbs 15
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15
Amplified Bible
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
15 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.(A)
2
The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors].(B)
4
A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
5
A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,
But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.
6
Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],
But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
8
The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!(C)
9
The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].
10
There is severe discipline for him who [a]turns from the way [of righteousness];
And he who hates correction will die.
11
Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the Lord—
How much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men.(D)
12
A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him;
Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction].
13
A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face,
But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.(E)
14
The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.(F)
15
All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].
16
Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and trouble with it.(G)
17
Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is present
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.(H)
18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.
19
The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],
But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.
20
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21
Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].(I)
22
Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they are established and succeed.
23
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!
24
The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise,
That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.(J)
25
The Lord will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous),
But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow.
26
Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,
But pure words are pleasant words to Him.
27
He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.(K)
28
The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way],
But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.(L)
29
The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the hearts of others,
And good news puts fat on the bones.
31
The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.
32
He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,
But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].
33
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:10 Lit forsakes.
Proverbs 15
EasyEnglish Bible
Proverbs 15
EasyEnglish Bible
15 If you answer people in a kind way, it stops them being angry.
But if you say cruel things, it makes people angry.
2 When wise people speak, they show that knowledge is good.
But when fools speak, they only say foolish things.
3 The Lord sees what happens everywhere.
He is watching what evil people do, and good people too.
4 Kind words are like the fruit of a tree that gives life.
But words that are not honest make people sad and weak.
5 A fool hates his father's rules.
But a wise child learns when his father warns him.
6 Righteous people have many valuable things in their homes.
But the riches of wicked people bring trouble to them.
7 When wise people speak, they give knowledge,
but the minds of fools have nothing to give.
8 When wicked people offer sacrifices to the Lord, he hates it.
But he is pleased when good people pray to him.
9 The Lord hates the way that wicked people live.
But he loves people who want to do what is right.
10 If you leave God's way, you will receive strong punishment.
When people warn you, accept it or you will die.
11 The Lord sees clearly into the deep hole of death.
So you can be sure that he knows people's secret thoughts.
12 Proud people do not like it when someone warns them.
They will not ask wise people to give them advice.
13 When someone is happy, their face smiles.
But when someone is sad, their spirit hurts.
14 Wise people want to learn more.
But fools only want to know useless things.
15 Every day is difficult, if you have trouble in your mind.
But if you are happy, every day is like a feast.
16 You may be poor, but you respect and obey the Lord.
That is better than if you are very rich, but you have a lot of trouble.
17 It is better to eat vegetables with people who love each other
than to eat good meat with people who hate each other.
18 Angry people bring quarrels,
but patient people bring peace.
19 A lazy person always has problems,
as if he is walking through thorn bushes.
But an honest person walks on a straight road through life.
20 A wise child makes his father happy.
But a foolish person does not respect his mother.
21 Stupid people are happy when they do foolish things.
But wise people walk on a straight path.
22 Without good advice, your ideas will never happen.
But you will do well if you have many advisors.
23 It makes you happy when you give a good answer to a question.
It is good when you find the right thing to say at the right time.
24 A wise person walks on a path that leads him up to a long life.
He keeps away from the path that would lead him down to death.
25 The Lord destroys the homes of proud men.
But he keeps the land of widows safe.
26 The Lord hates the thoughts of wicked people.
But kind words please him.
27 Anyone who cheats people to become rich
will cause trouble for his family.
But anyone who refuses to accept bribes
will live safely.
28 Righteous people think carefully before they answer someone.
But when wicked people speak, the result is only trouble.
29 The Lord does not answer the prayers of wicked people.
But when righteous people pray, he listens.
30 If someone smiles at you, it makes you happy.
Good news makes you feel strong.
31 If anyone accepts teaching that helps him to live in a good way,
he becomes a friend of wise people.
32 If you refuse to accept it when people warn you,
you are hurting yourself.
But if you agree to listen,
you will learn to do what is right.
33 If you respect and obey the Lord,
that will teach you wisdom.
If you want to receive honour,
first learn to be humble.
Proverbs 15
New International Version
Proverbs 15
New International Version
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(K)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(L)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(M)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(N)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(T)
12 Mockers resent correction,(W)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(Z)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(AA)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(AB)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(AC)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(AF)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(AG)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(AH)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(AN)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(AO)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(AP) of the wicked,(AQ)
but gracious words are pure(AR) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(AS)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(AV)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(AW)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(AX)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
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