Proverbs 15

1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up temper.

2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouths of fools spout foolishness.

3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on both the evil and the good.

4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

4Healing words are like a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool despiseth his father’s correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever accepts correction shows good sense.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolishdoethnot so.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not like that.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

8The LORD detests the sacrifices of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.

10Severe discipline awaits anyone who leaves the right path; anyone who hates correction will die.

11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah; How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

11Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of human beings!

12A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

12A mocker hates to be corrected, so he will not go to the wise for advice.

13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

13A happy heart makes a face look cheerful, but heartache breaks the spirit.

14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

14A mind with understanding searches for knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on trash.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

15Life is hard every day for those who suffer, but a cheerful heart has a continuous feast.

16Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

16It is better to have little and fear the LORD than to have great wealth and inner turmoil.

17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

17A simple meal of vegetables where there is love is better than a choice steak served with hatred.

18A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

18A hot-tempered person starts fights, but a patient person calms a quarrel.

19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.

19The path of a lazy person is blocked by thorns, but the path of the upright is a smooth highway.

20A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

21Foolishness is fun to someone who lacks judgment, but a person with understanding stays on the right track.

22Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

22Plans fail when there is no advice, but they succeed when there are many advisers.

23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!

23A person finds joy in giving the right answer, and how wonderful is a word spoken at just the right time!

24To the wise the way of lifegoethupward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

24The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep them from going down to the grave.

25Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property lines of the widow.

26Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant wordsarepure.

26The LORD detests evil thoughts, but kind words are pure to him.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.

27A greedy person brings trouble to his whole family, but the one who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

28The heart of the righteous thinks carefully before speaking, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

29Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

29The LORD stays far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; Andgood tidings make the bones fat.

30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news makes a person healthy and strong.

31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

31If you listen to life-giving correction, you will feel at home among the wise.

32He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

32Anyone who ignores discipline despises themselves, but whoever listens to correction gains understanding.

33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honorgoethhumility.

33Fearing the LORD teaches a person wisdom, and humility comes before honor.