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

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

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

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

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

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

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

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

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.

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)

The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors].(B)

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.

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.

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].

The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!(C)

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

  1. Proverbs 15:10 Lit forsakes.

15 La blanda respuesta quita la ira;

Mas la palabra áspera hace subir el furor.

La lengua de los sabios adornará la sabiduría;

Mas la boca de los necios hablará sandeces.

Los ojos de Jehová están en todo lugar,

Mirando a los malos y a los buenos.

La lengua apacible es árbol de vida;

Mas la perversidad de ella es quebrantamiento de espíritu.

El necio menosprecia el consejo de su padre;

Mas el que guarda la corrección vendrá a ser prudente.

En la casa del justo hay gran provisión;

Pero turbación en las ganancias del impío.

La boca de los sabios esparce sabiduría;

No así el corazón de los necios.

El sacrificio de los impíos es abominación a Jehová;

Mas la oración de los rectos es su gozo.

Abominación es a Jehová el camino del impío;

Mas él ama al que sigue justicia.

10 La reconvención es molesta al que deja el camino;

Y el que aborrece la corrección morirá.

11 El Seol y el Abadón están delante de Jehová;

¡Cuánto más los corazones de los hombres!

12 El escarnecedor no ama al que le reprende,

Ni se junta con los sabios.

13 El corazón alegre hermosea el rostro;

Mas por el dolor del corazón el espíritu se abate.

14 El corazón entendido busca la sabiduría;

Mas la boca de los necios se alimenta de necedades.

15 Todos los días del afligido son difíciles;

Mas el de corazón contento tiene un banquete continuo.

16 Mejor es lo poco con el temor de Jehová,

Que el gran tesoro donde hay turbación.

17 Mejor es la comida de legumbres donde hay amor,

Que de buey engordado donde hay odio.

18 El hombre iracundo promueve contiendas;

Mas el que tarda en airarse apacigua la rencilla.

19 El camino del perezoso es como seto de espinos;

Mas la vereda de los rectos, como una calzada.

20 El hijo sabio alegra al padre;

Mas el hombre necio menosprecia a su madre.

21 La necedad es alegría al falto de entendimiento;

Mas el hombre entendido endereza sus pasos.

22 Los pensamientos son frustrados donde no hay consejo;

Mas en la multitud de consejeros se afirman.

23 El hombre se alegra con la respuesta de su boca;

Y la palabra a su tiempo, ¡cuán buena es!

24 El camino de la vida es hacia arriba al entendido,

Para apartarse del Seol abajo.

25 Jehová asolará la casa de los soberbios;

Pero afirmará la heredad de la viuda.

26 Abominación son a Jehová los pensamientos del malo;

Mas las expresiones de los limpios son limpias.

27 Alborota su casa el codicioso;

Mas el que aborrece el soborno vivirá.

28 El corazón del justo piensa para responder;

Mas la boca de los impíos derrama malas cosas.

29 Jehová está lejos de los impíos;

Pero él oye la oración de los justos.

30 La luz de los ojos alegra el corazón,

Y la buena nueva conforta los huesos.

31 El oído que escucha las amonestaciones de la vida,

Entre los sabios morará.

32 El que tiene en poco la disciplina menosprecia su alma;

Mas el que escucha la corrección tiene entendimiento.

33 El temor de Jehová es enseñanza de sabiduría;

Y a la honra precede la humildad.