Proverbs

The Proverbs, chapter 15, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 15 New English Translation

   1 A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
   2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.
   3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.
   4 Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.
   5 A fool rejects his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.
   6 In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
   7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.
   8 The LORD abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
   9 The LORD abhors the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
   10 Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die.
   11 Death and Destruction are before the LORD - how much more the hearts of humans!
   12 The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.
   13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.
   14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
   15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
   16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it.
   17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred.
   18 A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.
   19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway.
   20 A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
   21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.
   22 Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established.
   23 A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time - how good it is!
   24 The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
   25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow.
   26 The LORD abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure.
   27 The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.
   28 The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
   29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
   30 A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body.
   31 The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.
   32 The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding.
   33 The fear of the LORD provides wise instruction, and before honor comes humility.

King James Version

   1 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.