Proverbs 15 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

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

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(C)

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(D)

4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,(E)
but a devious tongue[a] breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(F)

6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(G)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(H)

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(I)

10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord(J)—
how much more, human hearts.(K)

12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(L)
he will not consult the wise.

13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(M)

14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,(N)
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.(O)

15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(P)

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox(Q) with hatred.(R)

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict,(S)
but a man slow to anger(T) calms strife.

19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(U)

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(V)

21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.(W)

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(X)

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;[b]
and a timely word—how good that is!(Y)

24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He protects the widow’s territory.(Z)

26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.(AA)

27 The one who profits dishonestly(AB) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(AC)

28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(AD)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(AE)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,(AF)
but He hears the prayer of the righteous.(AG)

30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens[c] the bones.(AH)

31 One who[d] listens to life-giving rebukes(AI)
will be at home among the wise.

32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(AJ)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[e](AK)

33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
  2. Proverbs 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
  3. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat
  4. Proverbs 15:31 Lit An ear that
  5. Proverbs 15:32 Lit acquires a heart

Cross references

  1. 15:1 : Jdg 8:1-3; Pr 25:15; Ec 10:4
  2. 15:1 : 1Sm 25:10-13; 1Kg 12:13-16
  3. 15:2 : Pr 12:23; 13:16; 15:28
  4. 15:3 : 2Ch 16:9; Jb 31:4; Zch 4:10; Heb 4:13
  5. 15:4 : Pr 11:30; 13:12
  6. 15:5 : Pr 3:11; 12:1; 15:31-33
  7. 15:8 : Pr 21:27; 28:9; Ec 5:1; Is 1:11; Jr 6:20; Mc 6:7
  8. 15:8 : Pr 15:29
  9. 15:9 : Pr 3:32; 11:20; 12:22; 1Tm 6:11
  10. 15:11 : Jb 26:6; Ps 139:8
  11. 15:11 : 1Sm 16:7; 2Ch 6:30; Ps 44:21; Ac 1:24
  12. 15:12 : Pr 9:8; Am 5:10
  13. 15:13 : Pr 12:25; 14:30; 15:30; 17:22; 18:14
  14. 15:14 : Pr 14:33; 18:15
  15. 15:14 : Mt 12:34
  16. 15:16 : Ps 37:16; Pr 16:8; Ec 4:6; 1Tm 6:6
  17. 15:17 : Mt 22:4; Lk 15:23
  18. 15:17 : Pr 16:19; 17:1
  19. 15:18 : Pr 16:28; 26:21; 29:22
  20. 15:18 : Pr 14:29
  21. 15:19 : Pr 16:17, 31; 22:5-6
  22. 15:20 : Pr 10:1; 23:24-25; 29:3, 15
  23. 15:21 : Pr 4:11, 25; 10:23; Eph 5:15
  24. 15:22 : Pr 8:14-16; 11:14; 24:6
  25. 15:23 : Pr 25:11; Is 50:4
  26. 15:25 : Ps 68:5; 146:9
  27. 15:26 : Pr 11:20; 15:8-9; 16:24
  28. 15:27 : Pr 1:19; Jr 17:11
  29. 15:27 : Ex 23:8; Dt 16:19; Ps 15:5; Pr 17:23; 28:16
  30. 15:28 : Pr 18:13; 1Pt 3:15
  31. 15:28 : Pr 15:2
  32. 15:29 : Ps 18:41; Pr 28:9
  33. 15:29 : Ps 145:18-19; Pr 15:8
  34. 15:30 : Pr 14:30; 15:13; 17:22
  35. 15:31 : Pr 3:11
  36. 15:32 : Pr 12:1
  37. 15:32 : Pr 3:11; 5:12-14
  38. 15:33 : Pr 18:12; 22:4; 29:23

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Proverbs 15 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

15 A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly. 3 In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good. 4 A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- ...
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Proverbs 15 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

15 A soft answer breaketh ire; an hard word raiseth strong vengeance. 2 The tongue of wise men honoureth knowing (The speaking of the wise honoureth knowledge); the mouth of fools boileth out folly. 3 In each place the eyes of the Lord behold good men, and evil men. 4 A pleasant tongue is the tree o...
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Proverbs 15 - World English Bible (WEB)

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.5 A ...
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Proverbs 15 - The Voice (VOICE)

15 A tender answer turns away rage, but a prickly reply spikes anger.2 The words of the wise extend knowledge, but foolish people utter nonsense.3 The Eternal can see all things; His gaze is fixed on both the evil and the good.4 A word of encouragement heals the one who receives it, but a deceitful ...
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Proverbs 15 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Tongue of the Wise15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly,but the mouth of fools spouts folly.3 The eyes of Adonai are everywhere,observing the wicked and the good.4 A healing tongue is a tree of life,but a deceitful one...
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Proverbs 15 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a] but the mouths of fools pour out folly.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it brea...
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Proverbs 15 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a] but the mouths of fools pour out folly.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it brea...
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Proverbs 15 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a] but the mouths of fools pour out folly.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it bre...
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Proverbs 15 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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Proverbs 15 - New Living Translation (NLT)

15 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. 4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful...
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Proverbs 15 - New Life Version (NLV)

15 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a sharp word causes anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses much learning in a good way, but the mouth of fools speaks in a foolish way. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the bad and the good. 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a sinful t...
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Proverbs 15 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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Proverbs 15 - New English Translation (NET)

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