Proverbs 15
Legacy Standard Bible
15 A (A)gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a [a](B)harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The (C)tongue of the wise makes knowledge look good,
But the (D)mouth of [b]fools pours forth [c]folly.
3 The (E)eyes of Yahweh are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
4 A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
But perversion in it breaks the spirit.
5 An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,
But he who keeps reproof is prudent.
6 The house of the (F)righteous has much treasure,
But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The (G)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But (H)the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But He loves one who (I)pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
11 (J)Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh,
How much more the (K)hearts of the sons of men!
12 A (L)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
13 A (M)glad heart makes a face look good,
But [d]when the heart is (N)pained, the (O)spirit is broken.
14 The (P)heart of the one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But a good heart has a continual feast.
16 (Q)Better is a little with the [e]fear of Yahweh
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 (R)Better is a [f]dish of [g]vegetables where there is love
Than a (S)fattened ox and hatred in it.
18 A (T)hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the (U)slow to anger (V)quiets a dispute.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A (W)wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man (X)despises his mother.
21 Folly is gladness to him who lacks a heart of wisdom,
But a man of discernment (Y)walks straight.
22 Without consultation, [h]plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [i]succeed.
23 A (Z)man has gladness in an [j]apt answer,
And how good is a timely (AA)word!
24 The (AB)path of life leads upward for the one who has insight
That he may turn away from Sheol below.
25 Yahweh will (AC)tear down the house of the proud,
But He will (AD)cause the boundary of the (AE)widow to stand.
26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh,
But pleasant words are pure.
27 He who is (AF)greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who (AG)hates gifts of bribery will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AH)ponders how to answer,
But the (AI)mouth of the wicked pours forth evil things.
29 Yahweh is (AJ)far from the wicked,
But He (AK)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 [k]Bright eyes gladden the heart;
A good report puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will lodge among the wise.
32 He who (AL)neglects discipline (AM)despises his soul,
But he who (AN)listens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.
33 The [l]fear of Yahweh is the discipline [m]leading to wisdom,
And before glory comes humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:1 Lit painful
- Proverbs 15:2 One who fails in wisdom due to willful sin
- Proverbs 15:2 A lack of wisdom due to negligence or carelessness; the activity of an ignorant fool
- Proverbs 15:13 Lit in sadness of heart
- Proverbs 15:16 Or reverence
- Proverbs 15:17 Or portion
- Proverbs 15:17 Or herbs
- Proverbs 15:22 Lit thoughts
- Proverbs 15:22 Or are established
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit answer of his mouth
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit The light of the eyes gladdens
- Proverbs 15:33 Or reverence
- Proverbs 15:33 Lit of
Proverbs 15
International Children’s Bible
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 speak only foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes see everything that happens.
He watches both evil and good people.
4 As a tree gives us fruit, healing words give us life.
But evil words crush the spirit.
5 A foolish person rejects his father’s correction.
But anyone who accepts correction is wise.
6 There is much wealth in the houses of good people.
But evil people are paid only with trouble.
7 With their words wise people spread knowledge.
But there is no knowledge in the thoughts of the foolish.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice that the wicked person offers.
But he is pleased with an honest person’s prayer.
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 really be punished.
The one who hates to be corrected will die.
11 The Lord knows what is happening where the dead people are.
So he can surely know what living people are thinking.
12 A person who laughs at wisdom does not like to be corrected.
He will not ask advice from the wise.
13 Happiness makes a person smile.
But sadness breaks a person’s spirit.
14 Smart people want more knowledge.
But a foolish person just wants more foolishness.
15 Every day is hard for those who suffer.
But a happy heart makes it 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 A person who quickly gets angry causes trouble.
But a person who controls his temper stops a quarrel.
19 A lazy person’s life is as difficult as walking through a patch of thorns.
But an honest person’s life is as easy as walking down a smooth highway.
20 A wise son makes his father happy.
But a foolish person hates his mother.
21 A man without wisdom enjoys being foolish.
But a man with understanding does what is right.
22 Plans fail without good advice.
But plans succeed when you get advice from many others.
23 People enjoy giving good answers!
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing!
24 A wise person does things that will make his life better.
He avoids whatever would cause his death.
25 The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house.
But he will protect the property of a widow.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts.
But he is pleased with kind words.
27 A greedy person brings trouble to his family.
But the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.
28 Good people think before they answer.
But the wicked simply give evil answers.
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 A wise person pays attention to correction
that will improve his life.
32 A person who refuses correction hates himself.
But a person who accepts correction gains understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must not be proud.
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
