15 1 (A)A soft answer putteth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools (B)babbleth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is as a tree of life: but the frowardness thereof is the breaking of the mind.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction, but he that regardeth correction, is prudent.
6 The house of the righteous hath much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is [a]trouble.
7 The lips of the wise do spread abroad knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doth not so.
8 The [b]sacrifice of the wicked is abomination unto the Lord: but the prayer of the righteous is acceptable unto him.
9 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
- Proverbs 15:6 For though they have much, yet it is full of trouble and care.
- 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.
- Proverbs 15:10 He that swerveth from the word of God, cannot abide to be admonished.
- Proverbs 15:11 There is nothing so deep or secret that can be hid from the eyes of God, much less man’s thoughts.
- Proverbs 15:15 Hebrew, heart.
- Proverbs 15:19 That is, he ever findeth some let or stay, and dare not go forward.
- Proverbs 15:22 Read Prov. 11:14.
- Proverbs 15:23 If we will that our talk be comfortable, we must wait for time and season.
- Proverbs 15:26 That is, wholesome and profitable to the hearers.
- Proverbs 15:31 That suffereth himself to be admonished by God’s word, which bringeth life: and so amendeth.
- Proverbs 15:33 Meaning, that God exalteth none but them that are truly humbled.