15 (A)A soft answer putteth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools (B)babbleth out foolishness.

The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the evil and the good.

A wholesome tongue is as a tree of life: but the frowardness thereof is the breaking of the mind.

A fool despiseth his father’s instruction, but he that regardeth correction, is prudent.

The house of the righteous hath much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is [a]trouble.

The lips of the wise do spread abroad knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doth not so.

The [b]sacrifice of the wicked is abomination unto the Lord: but the prayer of the righteous is acceptable unto him.

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth righteousness.

10 Instruction is evil to him that [c]forsaketh the way, and he that hateth correction, shall die.

11 [d]Hell and destruction are before the Lord, how much more the hearts of the sons of men?

12 A scorner loveth not him that rebuketh him, neither will he go unto the wise.

13 (C)A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by the sorrow of the heart the mind is heavy.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding, seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is fed with foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a good [e]conscience is a continual feast.

16 (D)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.

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

18 (E)An angry man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to wrath, appeaseth strife.

19 The way of a slothful man is as an hedge of [f]thorns: but the way of the righteous is plain.

20 (F)A wise son rejoiceth the father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Foolishness is joy to him that is destitute of understanding: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel, thoughts come to nought: but [g]in the multitude of counselors there is steadfastness.

23 A joy cometh to a man by the answer of his mouth: and how good is a word [h]in due season?

24 The way of life is on high to the prudent, to avoid from hell beneath.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud men: but he will stablish the borders of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are abomination to the Lord: but the pure have [i]pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain, troubleth his own house: but he that beareth gifts, shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the wicked man’s mouth babbleth evil things.

29 The Lord is far off from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, and a good name maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that hearkeneth to the [j]correction of life, shall lodge among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that obeyeth correction, getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom: and before honor goeth [k]humility.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:6 For though they have much, yet it is full of trouble and care.
  2. Proverbs 15:8 That thing is abominable before God, which the wicked think to be most excellent, and whereby they think most to be accepted.
  3. Proverbs 15:10 He that swerveth from the word of God, cannot abide to be admonished.
  4. Proverbs 15:11 There is nothing so deep or secret that can be hid from the eyes of God, much less man’s thoughts.
  5. Proverbs 15:15 Hebrew, heart.
  6. Proverbs 15:19 That is, he ever findeth some let or stay, and dare not go forward.
  7. Proverbs 15:22 Read Prov. 11:14.
  8. Proverbs 15:23 If we will that our talk be comfortable, we must wait for time and season.
  9. Proverbs 15:26 That is, wholesome and profitable to the hearers.
  10. Proverbs 15:31 That suffereth himself to be admonished by God’s word, which bringeth life: and so amendeth.
  11. Proverbs 15:33 Meaning, that God exalteth none but them that are truly humbled.

15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(D)

The eyes(E) of the Lord are everywhere,(F)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(G)

The soothing tongue(H) is a tree of life,(I)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(J)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(K)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(L)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(M)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(N)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(O) of the wicked,(P)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(Q)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(R)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(S)

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(T)

11 Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord(U)
    how much more do human hearts!(V)

12 Mockers resent correction,(W)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(X)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(Y)

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)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(AD)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(AE)

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.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(AI)
    but with many advisers(AJ) they succeed.(AK)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(AL)
    and how good is a timely word!(AM)

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)

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(AT)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(AU)

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)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(AY)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(AZ)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(BA)
    and humility comes before honor.(BB)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon