Proverbs 15
New American Standard Bible 1995
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
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 [b]acceptable,
But the (D)mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The (E)eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
4 A [c]soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it [d]crushes the spirit.
5 A fool [e]rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the (F)righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The (G)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But (H)the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves one who (I)pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
11 [f](J)Sheol and [g]Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
How much more the (K)hearts of [h]men!
12 A (L)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
13 A (M)joyful heart makes a [i]cheerful face,
But [j]when the heart is (N)sad, the (O)spirit is broken.
14 The (P)mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a [k]cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 (Q)Better is a little with the [l]fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 (R)Better is a [m]dish of [n]vegetables where love is
Than a (S)fattened ox served with hatred.
18 A (T)hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the (U)slow to anger (V)calms a dispute.
19 The way of the lazy 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 joy to him who lacks [o]sense,
But a man of understanding (Y)walks straight.
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [p]succeed.
23 A (Z)man has joy in an [q]apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely (AA)word!
24 The (AB)path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from [r]Sheol below.
25 The Lord will (AC)tear down the house of the proud,
But He will (AD)establish the boundary of the (AE)widow.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
But pleasant words are pure.
27 He who (AF)profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who (AG)hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AH)ponders how to answer,
But the (AI)mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (AJ)far from the wicked,
But He (AK)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 [s]Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.
32 He who (AL)neglects discipline (AM)despises himself,
But he who (AN)listens to reproof acquires [t]understanding.
33 The [u]fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:1 Lit painful
- Proverbs 15:2 Lit good
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit healing
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit is the crushing of the spirit
- Proverbs 15:5 Or despises
- Proverbs 15:11 I.e. the nether world
- Proverbs 15:11 I.e. place of destruction
- Proverbs 15:11 Lit sons of Adam
- Proverbs 15:13 Lit good
- Proverbs 15:13 Lit in sadness of heart
- Proverbs 15:15 Lit good
- Proverbs 15:16 Or reverence
- Proverbs 15:17 Or portion
- Proverbs 15:17 Or herbs
- Proverbs 15:21 Lit heart
- Proverbs 15:22 Or are established
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit answer of his mouth
- Proverbs 15:24 I.e. the nether world
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit The light of the eyes gladdens
- Proverbs 15:32 Lit heart
- Proverbs 15:33 Or reverence
Proverbs 15
New International Version
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(K)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(L)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(M)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(N)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(T)
12 Mockers resent correction,(W)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(Z)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(AA)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(AB)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(AC)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(AF)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(AG)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(AH)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(AN)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(AO)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(AP) of the wicked,(AQ)
but gracious words are pure(AR) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(AS)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(AV)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(AW)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(AX)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
Proverbs 15
King James Version
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 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 unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
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