Proverbs 15
English Standard Version
15 (A)A soft answer turns away wrath,
but (B)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but (C)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 (D)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 (E)A gentle[a] tongue is (F)a tree of life,
but (G)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 (H)A fool (I)despises his father's instruction,
but (J)whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 (K)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
(L)not so the hearts of fools.[b]
8 (M)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but (N)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him (O)who pursues righteousness.
10 There is (P)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
(Q)whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more (R)the hearts of the children of man!
12 (S)A scoffer (T)does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13 (U)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by (V)sorrow of heart the spirit is (W)crushed.
14 (X)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but (Y)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 (Z)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 (AA)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than (AB)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 (AC)A hot-tempered man (AD)stirs up strife,
but he who is (AE)slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of (AF)a sluggard is like a hedge of (AG)thorns,
but the path of the upright is (AH)a level highway.
20 (AI)A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (AJ)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding (AK)walks straight ahead.
22 (AL)Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and (AM)a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward (AN)for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord tears down the house of (AO)the proud
but (AP)maintains (AQ)the widow's boundaries.
26 (AR)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but (AS)gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is (AT)greedy for unjust gain (AU)troubles his own household,
but he who hates (AV)bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AW)ponders how to answer,
but (AX)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (AY)far from the wicked,
but he (AZ)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 (BA)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and (BB)good news refreshes[c] the bones.
31 (BC)The ear that listens to (BD)life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever (BE)ignores instruction (BF)despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof (BG)gains intelligence.
33 (BH)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and (BI)humility comes before honor.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:4 Or healing
- Proverbs 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
- Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat
Proverbs 15
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(C)
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(D)
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(F)
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(G)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(H)
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(I)
10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(L)
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(M)
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(P)
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(U)
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(V)
21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.(W)
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(X)
24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He protects the widow’s territory.(Z)
26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.(AA)
27 The one who profits dishonestly(AB) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(AC)
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(AD)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(AE)
32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(AJ)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[e](AK)
33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(AL)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat
- Proverbs 15:31 Lit An ear that
- Proverbs 15:32 Lit acquires a heart
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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