Proverbs 15
Legacy Standard Bible
15 A (A)gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a [a](B)harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The (C)tongue of the wise makes knowledge look good,
But the (D)mouth of [b]fools pours forth [c]folly.
3 The (E)eyes of Yahweh are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
4 A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
But perversion in it breaks the spirit.
5 An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,
But he who keeps reproof is prudent.
6 The house of the (F)righteous has much treasure,
But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The (G)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But (H)the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But He loves one who (I)pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
11 (J)Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh,
How much more the (K)hearts of the sons of men!
12 A (L)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
13 A (M)glad heart makes a face look good,
But [d]when the heart is (N)pained, the (O)spirit is broken.
14 The (P)heart of the one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But a good heart has a continual feast.
16 (Q)Better is a little with the [e]fear of Yahweh
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 (R)Better is a [f]dish of [g]vegetables where there is love
Than a (S)fattened ox and hatred in it.
18 A (T)hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the (U)slow to anger (V)quiets a dispute.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A (W)wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man (X)despises his mother.
21 Folly is gladness to him who lacks a heart of wisdom,
But a man of discernment (Y)walks straight.
22 Without consultation, [h]plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [i]succeed.
23 A (Z)man has gladness in an [j]apt answer,
And how good is a timely (AA)word!
24 The (AB)path of life leads upward for the one who has insight
That he may turn away from Sheol below.
25 Yahweh will (AC)tear down the house of the proud,
But He will (AD)cause the boundary of the (AE)widow to stand.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh,
But pleasant words are pure.
27 He who is (AF)greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who (AG)hates gifts of bribery will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AH)ponders how to answer,
But the (AI)mouth of the wicked pours forth evil things.
29 Yahweh is (AJ)far from the wicked,
But He (AK)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 [k]Bright eyes gladden the heart;
A good report puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will lodge among the wise.
32 He who (AL)neglects discipline (AM)despises his soul,
But he who (AN)listens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.
33 The [l]fear of Yahweh is the discipline [m]leading to wisdom,
And before glory comes humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:1 Lit painful
- Proverbs 15:2 One who fails in wisdom due to willful sin
- Proverbs 15:2 A lack of wisdom due to negligence or carelessness; the activity of an ignorant fool
- Proverbs 15:13 Lit in sadness of heart
- Proverbs 15:16 Or reverence
- Proverbs 15:17 Or portion
- Proverbs 15:17 Or herbs
- Proverbs 15:22 Lit thoughts
- Proverbs 15:22 Or are established
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit answer of his mouth
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit The light of the eyes gladdens
- Proverbs 15:33 Or reverence
- Proverbs 15:33 Lit of
Proverbs 15
Common English Bible
15 A sensitive answer turns back wrath,
but an offensive word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool gushes with stupidity.
3 The Lord’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on evil and good people.
4 Wholesome speech is a tree of life,
but dishonest talk breaks the spirit.
5 A fool doesn’t like a father’s instruction,
but those who heed correction are mature.
6 Great treasure is in the house of the righteous,
but the gain of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools have none.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
but favors the prayers of those who do right.
9 The Lord detests the path of the wicked,
but loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Discipline is severe for those who abandon the way;
those who hate correction will die.
11 The grave[a] and the underworld[b] lie open before the Lord;
how much more the hearts of human beings!
12 Mockers don’t like those who correct them.
They won’t go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart brightens one’s face,
but a troubled heart breaks the spirit.
14 An understanding heart seeks knowledge;
but fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the needy are hard,
but a happy heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with fear of the Lord
than a great treasure with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of greens with love
than a plump calf with hate.
18 Hotheads stir up conflict,
but patient people calm down strife.
19 The path of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns,
but the way of those who do right is a clear road.
20 A wise child brings joy to a father,
but fools despise their mothers.
21 Folly is joy to those who lack sense,
but those with understanding walk straight ahead.
22 Plans fail with no counsel,
but with many counselors they succeed.
23 To give an appropriate answer is a joy;
how good is a word at the right time!
24 For those with insight, life is an upward path,
avoiding the grave [c] below.
25 The Lord snatches away the arrogant one’s house,
but he preserves the widow’s boundaries.
26 The Lord detests evil plans,
but gracious words are pure.
27 Those who acquire things unjustly gain trouble for their house,
but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The righteous heart reflects before answering,
but the wicked mouth blurts out evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he listens to the prayers of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes give joy to the heart;
good news strengthens the bones.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving correction
dwells among the wise.
32 Those who refuse discipline despise themselves,
but those who listen to correction gain understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is wise instruction,
and humility comes before respect.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:11 Heb Sheol
- Proverbs 15:11 Heb Abaddon
- Proverbs 15:24 Heb Sheol
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible