Proverbs 15 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

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 pleasant,
But the (D)mouth of fools spouts foolishness.
3 The (E)eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
4 A [b]soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it [c]crushes the spirit.
5 A fool [d]rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the (F)righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The (G)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But (H)the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves the one who (I)pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe punishment for one who abandons the way;
One who hates a rebuke will die.
11 [e](J)Sheol and [f]Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
How much more the (K)hearts of [g]mankind!
12 A (L)scoffer does not love one who rebukes him;
He will not go to the wise.
13 A (M)joyful heart makes a [h]cheerful face,
But [i]when the heart is (N)sad, the (O)spirit is broken.
14 The (P)mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the [j]needy are bad,
But a [k]cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 (Q)Better is a little with [l]the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure, and turmoil with [m]the treasure.
17 (R)Better is a portion of [n]vegetables where there is love,
Than a (S)fattened ox served with hatred.
18 A (T)hot-tempered person stirs up strife,
But the (U)slow to anger (V)calms a dispute.
19 The way of the [o]lazy one is like 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 Foolishness is joy to one who lacks [p]sense,
But a person of understanding (Y)walks straight.
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [q]succeed.
23 A (Z)person has joy in an [r]apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely (AA)word!
24 The (AB)path of life leads upward for the wise,
So that he may keep away from [s]Sheol below.
25 The Lord will (AC)tear down the house of the proud,
But He will (AD)set the boundary of the (AE)widow.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
But pleasant words are pure.
27 He who (AF)profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who (AG)hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AH)ponders how to answer,
But the (AI)mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (AJ)far from the wicked,
But He (AK)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 [t]Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news [u]refreshes the bones.
31 One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke
Will stay among the wise.
32 One who (AL)neglects discipline (AM)rejects himself,
But one who (AN)listens to a rebuke acquires [v]understanding.
33 [w]The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:1 Lit painful
  2. Proverbs 15:4 Lit healing
  3. Proverbs 15:4 Lit is the crushing of the spirit
  4. Proverbs 15:5 Or despises
  5. Proverbs 15:11 I.e., The netherworld
  6. Proverbs 15:11 I.e., place of destruction
  7. Proverbs 15:11 Lit sons of mankind
  8. Proverbs 15:13 Lit good
  9. Proverbs 15:13 Lit in sadness of heart
  10. Proverbs 15:15 Or wretched
  11. Proverbs 15:15 Lit good
  12. Proverbs 15:16 Or reverence for
  13. Proverbs 15:16 Lit it
  14. Proverbs 15:17 Or herbs
  15. Proverbs 15:19 Lit idle
  16. Proverbs 15:21 Lit heart
  17. Proverbs 15:22 Or are established
  18. Proverbs 15:23 Lit answer of his mouth
  19. Proverbs 15:24 I.e., the netherworld
  20. Proverbs 15:30 Lit The light of the eyes gladdens
  21. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat
  22. Proverbs 15:32 Lit heart
  23. Proverbs 15:33 Or Reverence for

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 15:1 : Judg 8:1-3; Prov 15:18; 25:15
  2. Proverbs 15:1 : 1 Sam 25:10-13
  3. Proverbs 15:2 : Prov 15:7
  4. Proverbs 15:2 : Prov 12:23; 13:16; 15:28
  5. Proverbs 15:3 : 2 Chr 16:9; Job 31:4; Jer 16:17; Zech 4:10; Heb 4:13
  6. Proverbs 15:6 : Prov 8:21
  7. Proverbs 15:8 : Prov 21:27; Eccl 5:1; Is 1:11; Jer 6:20; Mic 6:7
  8. Proverbs 15:8 : Prov 15:29
  9. Proverbs 15:9 : 1 Tim 6:11
  10. Proverbs 15:11 : Job 26:6; Ps 139:8
  11. Proverbs 15:11 : 1 Sam 16:7; 2 Chr 6:30; Ps 44:21; Acts 1:24
  12. Proverbs 15:12 : Prov 13:1; Amos 5:10
  13. Proverbs 15:13 : Prov 17:22
  14. Proverbs 15:13 : Prov 12:25
  15. Proverbs 15:13 : Prov 17:22; 18:14
  16. Proverbs 15:14 : Prov 18:15
  17. Proverbs 15:16 : Ps 37:16; Prov 16:8; Eccl 4:6; 1 Tim 6:6
  18. Proverbs 15:17 : Prov 17:1
  19. Proverbs 15:17 : Matt 22:4; Luke 15:23
  20. Proverbs 15:18 : Prov 16:28; 26:21; 29:22
  21. Proverbs 15:18 : Prov 14:29
  22. Proverbs 15:18 : Gen 13:8; Prov 16:14; Eccl 10:4
  23. Proverbs 15:20 : Prov 10:1; 29:3
  24. Proverbs 15:20 : Prov 30:17
  25. Proverbs 15:21 : Prov 14:8; Eph 5:15
  26. Proverbs 15:23 : Prov 12:14
  27. Proverbs 15:23 : Prov 25:11; Is 50:4
  28. Proverbs 15:24 : Prov 4:18
  29. Proverbs 15:25 : Prov 12:7; 14:11
  30. Proverbs 15:25 : Deut 19:14; Prov 23:10
  31. Proverbs 15:25 : Ps 68:5; 146:9
  32. Proverbs 15:27 : Prov 1:19; 28:25; 1 Tim 6:10
  33. Proverbs 15:27 : Ex 23:8; Deut 16:19; 1 Sam 12:3; Is 33:15
  34. Proverbs 15:28 : 1 Pet 3:15
  35. Proverbs 15:28 : Prov 10:32; 15:2
  36. Proverbs 15:29 : Ps 18:41; Prov 1:28
  37. Proverbs 15:29 : Ps 145:18, 19
  38. Proverbs 15:32 : Prov 1:7; 8:33
  39. Proverbs 15:32 : Prov 8:36
  40. Proverbs 15:32 : Prov 15:5

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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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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)

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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)

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Proverbs 15 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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Proverbs 15 - New Living Translation (NLT)

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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 International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 15 - New English Translation (NET)

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