Proverbs 15
New Century Version
15 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger,
but an unkind answer will cause more anger.
2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak,
but fools pour out foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes see everything;
he watches both evil and good people.
4 As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life,
but dishonest words crush the spirit.
5 Fools reject their parents’ correction,
but anyone who accepts correction is wise.
6 Much wealth is in the houses of good people,
but evil people get nothing but trouble.
7 Wise people use their words to spread knowledge,
but there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice that the wicked offer,
but he likes the prayers of honest people.
9 The Lord hates what evil people do,
but he loves those who do what is right.
10 The person who quits doing what is right will be punished,
and the one who hates to be corrected will die.
11 The Lord knows what is happening in the world of the dead,
so he surely knows the thoughts of the living.
12 Those who make fun of wisdom don’t like to be corrected;
they will not ask the wise for advice.
13 Happiness makes a person smile,
but sadness can break a person’s spirit.
14 People with understanding want more knowledge,
but fools just want more foolishness.
15 Every day is hard for those who suffer,
but a happy heart is like a continual feast.
16 It is better to be poor and respect the Lord
than to be wealthy and have much trouble.
17 It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
than to eat meat with those who hate you.
18 People with quick tempers cause trouble,
but those who control their tempers stop a quarrel.
19 A lazy person’s life is like a patch of thorns,
but an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway.
20 Wise children make their father happy,
but foolish children disrespect their mother.
21 A person without wisdom enjoys being foolish,
but someone with understanding does what is right.
22 Plans fail without good advice,
but they succeed with the advice of many others.
23 People enjoy giving good advice.
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.
24 Wise people’s lives get better and better.
They avoid whatever would cause their death.
25 The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house,
but he will protect the widow’s property.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts
but is pleased with kind words.
27 Greedy people bring trouble to their families,
but the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.
28 Good people think before they answer,
but the wicked simply pour out evil.
29 The Lord does not listen to the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of those who do right.
30 Good news makes you feel better.
Your happiness will show in your eyes.
31 If you listen to correction to improve your life,
you will live among the wise.
32 Those who refuse correction hate themselves,
but those who accept correction gain understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must be humble.
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
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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