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
New Living Translation
15 A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3 The Lord is watching everywhere,
keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a tree of life;
a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 Only a fool despises a parent’s[a] discipline;
whoever learns from correction is wise.
6 There is treasure in the house of the godly,
but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise give good advice;
the heart of a fool has none to give.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined;
whoever hates correction will die.
11 Even Death and Destruction[b] hold no secrets from the Lord.
How much more does he know the human heart!
12 Mockers hate to be corrected,
so they stay away from the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a happy face;
a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
while the fool feeds on trash.
15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,
than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love
is better than steak with someone you hate.
18 A hot-tempered person starts fights;
a cool-tempered person stops them.
19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers,
but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20 Sensible children bring joy to their father;
foolish children despise their mother.
21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;
a sensible person stays on the right path.
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise;
they leave the grave[c] behind.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he protects the property of widows.
26 The Lord detests evil plans,
but he delights in pure words.
27 Greed brings grief to the whole family,
but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.
31 If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.
32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
