Proverbs 15
Contrasting proverbs address the power of the tongue — a soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger — and the eyes of the LORD that are in every place, watching the evil and the good. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with trouble.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | A soft answer turns 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. | The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly; but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. |
| 3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good. |
| 4 | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness in it is a breach in the spirit. |
| 5 | A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | A fool despises His father's instruction; but He who heeds correction is prudent. |
| 6 | In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. | 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. | The lips of the wise spread knowledge; but the heart of the foolish does not do so. |
| 8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. | 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. | The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but He loves Him who follows after righteousness. |
| 10 | Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. | Correction is grievous to Him who forsakes the way, and He who hates correction will die. |
| 11 | Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? | 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. | A scorner does not love one who corrects Him, nor will He go to the wise. |
| 13 | A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. | A merry heart makes 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. | The heart of Him who has understanding seeks knowledge; but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. |
| 15 | All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. | All the days of the afflicted are evil; but He who has a merry heart has a continual feast. |
| 16 | Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. | Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with trouble. |
| 17 | Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. | Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox with hatred. |
| 18 | A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. | A wrathful man stirs up strife; but He who is longsuffering appeases strife. |
| 19 | The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. | The way of the slothful man is like a 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. | A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish man despises His mother. |
| 21 | Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. | Folly is joy to Him who lacks wisdom; but a man of understanding walks uprightly. |
| 22 | Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. | Without counsel, purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counselors 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! | A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! |
| 24 | The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. | The way of life leads upward for 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. | 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. | 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. | He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but He who hates bribes will live. |
| 28 | The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. | The heart of the righteous studies how to answer; but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. |
| 29 | The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. | The LORD is far from the wicked; but he hears the prayer of the righteous. |
| 30 | The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. | The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones strong. |
| 31 | The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. | The ear that hears the correction of life will remain among the wise. |
| 32 | He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. | He who refuses instruction despises his own soul; but He who hears correction gains understanding. |
| 33 | The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. | The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. |