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Proverbs 15
International Standard Version
Proverbs 15
International Standard Version
How to Live Wisely
15 A gentle response diverts anger,
but a harsh statement incites fury.
2 The wise speak, presenting[a] knowledge appropriately,
but fools spout foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
observing both the evil and the good.
4 A gentle statement[b] is a tree of life,
but perverted speech shatters the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s instructions,
but anyone who respects[c] reproof acts sensibly.
6 The righteous house is itself[d] a great treasure,
but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.
7 What the wise have to say disseminates[e] knowledge,
but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,
but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.
10 Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path—
anyone who despises reproof will die.
11 Since Sheol[f] and Abaddon[g] lie open in the Lord’s presence,
how much more the hearts of human beings!
12 The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him;
he will not inquire of[h] the wise.
13 A happy heart enlightens the face,
but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.
14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.
15 The entire life[i] of the afflicted seems disastrous,
but a good heart feasts continuously.
On Contentment and Other Good Things of Life
16 Better is a little accompanied by fear of the Lord
than abundant wealth with turmoil.
17 A vegetarian meal[j] served with love is better
than a big, thick steak[k] with a plateful of[l] animosity.
18 The quickly angered man stirs up contention,
but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.
19 The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge,
but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Stupidity is the delight of the senseless,
but an understanding man walks uprightly.
22 Plans fail without advice,
but with many counselors they are confirmed.
23 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person,
and a well-timed word is a good thing.
24 The way of life leads upward for the wise
so he may avoid Sheol[m] below.
25 The house of the proud the Lord will demolish,
but he will protect the widow’s boundary line.
26 To the Lord evil plans are detestable,
but pleasant words are pure.
27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes,
but the person who hates bribes will live.
28 The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking,
but the wicked person spews out evil.
29 The Lord is far away from the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
31 Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction hates himself,
but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.[p]
33 The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom,
and humility precedes honor.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 Lit. The tongues of the wise present
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit. tongue
- Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps
- Proverbs 15:6 The Heb. lacks itself
- Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread
- Proverbs 15:11 I.e. the realm of the dead
- Proverbs 15:11 I.e. the realm of destruction in the afterlife
- Proverbs 15:12 Lit. not go to
- Proverbs 15:15 Lit. All the days
- Proverbs 15:17 Lit. A meal of herbs
- Proverbs 15:17 Lit. a fattened ox
- Proverbs 15:17 The Heb. lacks a plateful of
- Proverbs 15:24 I.e. the realm of the dead
- Proverbs 15:30 Or A cheerful look
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit. bones
- Proverbs 15:32 Lit. heart
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
Proverbs 15
King James Version
Proverbs 15
King James Version
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.