Proverbs 15
1599 Geneva Bible
15 1 (A)A soft answer putteth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools (B)babbleth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is as a tree of life: but the frowardness thereof is the breaking of the mind.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction, but he that regardeth correction, is prudent.
6 The house of the righteous hath much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is [a]trouble.
7 The lips of the wise do spread abroad knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doth not so.
8 The [b]sacrifice of the wicked is abomination unto the Lord: but the prayer of the righteous is acceptable unto him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth righteousness.
10 Instruction is evil to him that [c]forsaketh the way, and he that hateth correction, shall die.
11 [d]Hell and destruction are before the Lord, how much more the hearts of the sons of men?
12 A scorner loveth not him that rebuketh him, neither will he go unto the wise.
13 (C)A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by the sorrow of the heart the mind is heavy.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding, seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is fed with foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a good [e]conscience is a continual feast.
16 (D)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of green herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 (E)An angry man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to wrath, appeaseth strife.
19 The way of a slothful man is as an hedge of [f]thorns: but the way of the righteous is plain.
20 (F)A wise son rejoiceth the father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Foolishness is joy to him that is destitute of understanding: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel, thoughts come to nought: but [g]in the multitude of counselors there is steadfastness.
23 A joy cometh to a man by the answer of his mouth: and how good is a word [h]in due season?
24 The way of life is on high to the prudent, to avoid from hell beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud men: but he will stablish the borders of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are abomination to the Lord: but the pure have [i]pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain, troubleth his own house: but he that beareth gifts, shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the wicked man’s mouth babbleth evil things.
29 The Lord is far off from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, and a good name maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the [j]correction of life, shall lodge among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that obeyeth correction, getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom: and before honor goeth [k]humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:6 For though they have much, yet it is full of trouble and care.
- Proverbs 15:8 That thing is abominable before God, which the wicked think to be most excellent, and whereby they think most to be accepted.
- Proverbs 15:10 He that swerveth from the word of God, cannot abide to be admonished.
- Proverbs 15:11 There is nothing so deep or secret that can be hid from the eyes of God, much less man’s thoughts.
- Proverbs 15:15 Hebrew, heart.
- Proverbs 15:19 That is, he ever findeth some let or stay, and dare not go forward.
- Proverbs 15:22 Read Prov. 11:14.
- Proverbs 15:23 If we will that our talk be comfortable, we must wait for time and season.
- Proverbs 15:26 That is, wholesome and profitable to the hearers.
- Proverbs 15:31 That suffereth himself to be admonished by God’s word, which bringeth life: and so amendeth.
- Proverbs 15:33 Meaning, that God exalteth none but them that are truly humbled.
Proverbs 15
Tree of Life Version
Tongue of the Wise
15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly,
but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of Adonai are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.
4 A healing tongue is a tree of life,
but a deceitful one crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but one who accepts reproof is smart.
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Adonai,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Pursue Righteousness and Reproof
9 Adonai detests the way of the wicked,
but loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Stern correction awaits one who forsakes the way.
One who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon[a] are before Adonai—
how much more the hearts of people!
12 A mocker dislikes one who corrects him;
he will not go to the wise.
Heart Attitude Matters
13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Adonai
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love,
than a fattened ox where there is hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.
19 The way of the slacker is a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise child brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks sense,
but one with discernment walks straight.
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A person has joy in an appropriate answer—
how good is a timely word.
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise
to keep him from going down to Sheol.
25 Adonai tears down a proud man’s house,
but He maintains the widow’s boundary.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to Adonai,
but pleasant words are pure.
27 One greedy for gain troubles his household,
but whoever hates bribes will live.
28 A righteous heart thinks before answering,
but a wicked mouth blurts out evil things.
29 Adonai is far from the wicked,
but hears the prayer of the righteous.[b]
30 Bright eyes bring joy to the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
31 One whose ear heeds
a life-giving reproof dwells among the wise.
32 Whoever avoids correction despises himself,
but whoever heeds reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of Adonai is the discipline of wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:11 Or “Death and Destruction”.
- Proverbs 15:29 cf. John 9:31.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.