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 Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.(A)
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(B)
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.(C)
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.(D)
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(E)
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(F)
10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way;
one who hates a rebuke will die.(G)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more human hearts!(H)
12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
they will not go to the wise.(I)
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(J)
14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are hard,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.(K)
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.(L)
18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
but those who are slow to anger calm contention.(M)
19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.(N)
20 A wise child makes a glad father,
but the foolish despise their mothers.(O)
21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.(P)
22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.(Q)
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
and a word in season, how good it is!(R)
24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,
in order to avoid Sheol below.(S)
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.(T)
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.(U)
27 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.(V)
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.(W)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(X)
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
will lodge among the wise.
32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
but those who heed admonition gain understanding.(Y)
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honor.(Z)
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.