Proverbs 15-16
New King James Version
A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath
15 A (A)soft answer turns away wrath,
But (B)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
(C)But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 (D)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A [a]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise [c]disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 (G)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who (H)follows righteousness.
11 (K)Hell[d] and [e]Destruction are before the Lord;
So how much more (L)the hearts of the sons of men.
12 (M)A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
13 (N)A merry heart makes a cheerful [f]countenance,
But (O)by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
(P)But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 (Q)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 (R)Better is a dinner of [g]herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 (S)A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 (T)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 (U)A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (V)Folly is joy to him who is destitute of [h]discernment,
(W)But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 (X)Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
25 (AB)The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But (AC)He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 (AD)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
(AE)But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 (AF)He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AG)studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones [k]healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 (AJ)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And (AK)before honor is humility.
Wisdom Is Better Than Gold
16 The (AL)preparations[l] of the heart belong to man,
(AM)But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own (AN)eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
5 (AR)Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [o]forces, none will go unpunished.
6 (AS)In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And (AT)by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (AU)Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 (AX)Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights in the bag are His [p]work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For (AY)a throne is established by righteousness.
13 (AZ)Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will (BA)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (BB)cloud of the latter rain.
16 (BC)How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before [q]a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the [r]spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever (BD)trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of (BE)death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives (BF)him on.
27 [s]An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning (BG)fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And (BH)a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He [t]purses his lips and brings about evil.
31 (BI)The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 (BJ)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit. healing
- Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps
- Proverbs 15:7 spread
- Proverbs 15:11 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:11 Heb. Abaddon
- Proverbs 15:13 face
- Proverbs 15:17 Or vegetables
- Proverbs 15:21 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit. in its time
- Proverbs 15:24 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit. fat
- Proverbs 16:1 plans
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit. Roll
- Proverbs 16:4 Lit. evil
- Proverbs 16:5 Lit. hand to hand
- Proverbs 16:11 concern
- Proverbs 16:18 stumbling
- Proverbs 16:19 plunder
- Proverbs 16:27 Lit. A man of Belial
- Proverbs 16:30 Lit. compresses
Proverbs 15-16
English Standard Version
15 (A)A soft answer turns away wrath,
but (B)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but (C)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 (D)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 (E)A gentle[a] tongue is (F)a tree of life,
but (G)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 (H)A fool (I)despises his father's instruction,
but (J)whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 (K)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
(L)not so the hearts of fools.[b]
8 (M)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but (N)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him (O)who pursues righteousness.
10 There is (P)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
(Q)whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more (R)the hearts of the children of man!
12 (S)A scoffer (T)does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13 (U)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by (V)sorrow of heart the spirit is (W)crushed.
14 (X)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but (Y)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 (Z)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 (AA)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than (AB)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 (AC)A hot-tempered man (AD)stirs up strife,
but he who is (AE)slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of (AF)a sluggard is like a hedge of (AG)thorns,
but the path of the upright is (AH)a level highway.
20 (AI)A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (AJ)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding (AK)walks straight ahead.
22 (AL)Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and (AM)a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward (AN)for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord tears down the house of (AO)the proud
but (AP)maintains (AQ)the widow's boundaries.
26 (AR)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but (AS)gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is (AT)greedy for unjust gain (AU)troubles his own household,
but he who hates (AV)bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AW)ponders how to answer,
but (AX)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (AY)far from the wicked,
but he (AZ)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 (BA)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and (BB)good news refreshes[c] the bones.
31 (BC)The ear that listens to (BD)life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever (BE)ignores instruction (BF)despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof (BG)gains intelligence.
33 (BH)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and (BI)humility comes before honor.
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but (BJ)the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 (BK)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord (BL)weighs the spirit.[d]
3 (BM)Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 (BN)The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even (BO)the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is (BP)an abomination to the Lord;
(BQ)be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By (BR)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by (BS)the fear of the Lord one (BT)turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
(BU)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (BV)Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 (BW)The heart of man plans his way,
but (BX)the Lord establishes his steps.
10 (BY)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 (BZ)A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for (CA)the throne is established by righteousness.
13 (CB)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 (CC)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will (CD)appease it.
15 (CE)In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his (CF)favor is like (CG)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 (CH)How much better to get wisdom than (CI)gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than (CJ)silver.
17 The highway of the upright (CK)turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 (CL)Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 (CM)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to (CN)divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[e] (CO)will discover good,
and blessed is he (CP)who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech (CQ)increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is (CR)a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 (CS)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 (CT)Gracious words are like (CU)a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and (CV)health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[f]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
his (CW)mouth urges him on.
27 (CX)A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech[g] is like (CY)a scorching fire.
28 (CZ)A dishonest man spreads strife,
and (DA)a whisperer (DB)separates close friends.
29 A man of violence (DC)entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[h] (DD)dishonest things;
he who (DE)purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 (DF)Gray hair is (DG)a crown of glory;
it (DH)is gained in a righteous life.
32 (DI)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 (DJ)The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is (DK)from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:4 Or healing
- Proverbs 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
- Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat
- Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits
- Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter
- Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
- Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan
Proverbios 15-16
Dios Habla Hoy
15 La respuesta amable calma el enojo;
la respuesta violenta lo excita más.
2 De la lengua de los sabios brota sabiduría;
de la boca de los necios, necedades.
3 El Señor está en todo lugar
vigilando a los buenos y a los malos.
4 La lengua amable es un árbol de vida;
la lengua perversa hace daño al espíritu.
5 El necio desprecia la corrección de su padre;
el que la atiende, demuestra inteligencia.
6 Gran abundancia hay en casa del hombre honrado,
pero al malvado no le aprovechan sus ganancias.
7 Los sabios esparcen sabiduría con sus labios;
los necios, con su mente, hacen todo lo contrario.
8 El Señor no soporta las ofrendas de los malvados,
pero recibe con agrado la oración de los justos.
9 El Señor no soporta la conducta de los malvados,
pero ama a quien vive una vida recta.
10 Al que deja el buen camino se le corrige con dureza;
el que odia la reprensión, morirá.
11 Si a la vista del Señor están la muerte y el sepulcro,
¡con mayor razón los pensamientos de los hombres!
12 El insolente no ama al que le reprende,
ni busca la compañía de los sabios.
13 Corazón alegre, cara feliz;
corazón enfermo, semblante triste.
14 La mente inteligente busca el saber,
pero los necios se alimentan de necedades.
15 Para quien está afligido, todos los días son malos;
para quien está contento, son una fiesta constante.
16 Más vale ser pobre y honrar al Señor,
que ser rico y vivir angustiado.
17 Más vale comer verduras con amor,
que carne de res con odio.
18 El que es impulsivo provoca peleas;
el que es paciente las apacigua.
19 Para el perezoso, el camino está lleno de espinas;
para el hombre recto, el camino es amplia calzada.
20 El hijo sabio alegra a sus padres;
el hijo necio los menosprecia.
21 El imprudente goza con su necedad;
el inteligente corrige sus propios pasos.
22 Cuando no hay consulta, los planes fracasan;
el éxito depende de los muchos consejeros.
23 ¡Qué grato es hallar la respuesta apropiada,
y aún más cuando es oportuna!
24 El camino de la vida va cuesta arriba,
y libra al sabio de bajar al sepulcro.
25 El Señor destruye la casa del orgulloso,
pero mantiene invariable la propiedad de la viuda.
26 El Señor no soporta los planes malvados,
pero le agradan las palabras sin malicia.
27 El que se da a la codicia arruina su propia casa,
pero el que rechaza el soborno, vivirá.
28 El hombre justo piensa lo que ha de responder,
pero el malvado lanza maldad por la boca.
29 El Señor se aleja de los malvados,
pero atiende a la oración de los justos.
30 Los ojos radiantes alegran el corazón;
las buenas noticias dan nuevas fuerzas.
31 El que atiende a la reprensión que da vida,
tendrá un lugar entre los sabios.
32 El que desprecia la corrección no se aprecia a sí mismo;
el que atiende a la reprensión adquiere entendimiento.
33 El honrar al Señor instruye en la sabiduría;
para recibir honores, primero hay que ser humilde.
16 Los planes son del hombre;
la palabra final la tiene el Señor.
2 Al hombre le parece bueno todo lo que hace,
pero el Señor es quien juzga las intenciones.
3 Pon tus actos en las manos del Señor
y tus planes se realizarán.
4 El Señor lo ha creado todo con un propósito:
aun al hombre malvado para el día del castigo.
5 El Señor no soporta a los orgullosos;
tarde o temprano tendrán su castigo.
6 Con amor y verdad se perdona el pecado;
honrando al Señor se aleja uno del mal.
7 Cuando al Señor le agrada la conducta de un hombre,
hasta a sus enemigos los pone en paz con él.
8 Vale más lo poco ganado honradamente,
que lo mucho ganado en forma injusta.
9 Al hombre le toca hacer planes,
y al Señor dirigir sus pasos.
10 El rey habla de parte de Dios
y no dicta sentencias injustas.
11 Pesas y medidas caen bajo el juicio del Señor;
todas las pesas han sido creadas por él.
12 Los reyes reprueban las malas acciones,
porque el trono se basa en la justicia.
13 Los reyes aman y ven con agrado
a quien habla con honradez y sinceridad.
14 La ira del rey es mensajera de muerte,
y es de sabios procurar calmarla.
15 La alegría del rey es promesa de vida,
y su buena voluntad es como nube de lluvia.
16 Más vale adquirir sabiduría que oro;
más vale entendimiento que plata.
17 La norma de los justos es apartarse del mal;
cuidar la propia conducta es cuidarse uno mismo.
18 Tras el orgullo viene el fracaso;
tras la altanería, la caída.
19 Más vale humillarse con los pobres
que hacerse rico con los orgullosos.
20 Al que bien administra, bien le va;
¡feliz aquel que confía en el Señor!
21 Al que piensa sabiamente, se le llama inteligente;
las palabras amables convencen mejor.
22 Tener buen juicio es tener una fuente de vida;
instruir a los necios es también necedad.
23 El que piensa sabiamente, se sabe expresar,
y sus palabras convencen mejor.
24 Las palabras dulces son un panal de miel:
endulzan el ánimo y dan nuevas fuerzas.
25 Hay caminos que parecen derechos,
pero al final de ellos está la muerte.
26 El apetito del que trabaja lo impulsa a trabajar;
el hambre que siente lo empuja a ello.
27 El malvado es un horno de maldad;
¡aun sus palabras parecen llamas de fuego!
28 El perverso provoca peleas;
el chismoso es causa de enemistades.
29 El violento engaña a su amigo
y lo desvía por el mal camino.
30 Guiña los ojos quien piensa hacer lo malo;
se muerde los labios quien ya lo ha cometido.
31 Las canas son una digna corona,
ganada por una conducta honrada.
32 Más vale ser paciente que valiente;
más vale vencerse uno mismo que conquistar ciudades.
33 El hombre echa las suertes,
pero el Señor es quien lo decide todo.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Dios habla hoy ®, © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1966, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1996.