Proverbs 15
World English Bible
15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction,
but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way:
whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol[a] and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention,
but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise,
to keep him from going downward to Sheol.[b]
25 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud,
but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives,
and will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
Before honor is humility.
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.