Proverbs 15 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.(A)
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(B)
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.(C)
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.(D)
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(E)
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(F)
10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way;
one who hates a rebuke will die.(G)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more human hearts!(H)
12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
they will not go to the wise.(I)
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(J)
14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are hard,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.(K)
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.(L)
18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
but those who are slow to anger calm contention.(M)
19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.(N)
20 A wise child makes a glad father,
but the foolish despise their mothers.(O)
21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.(P)
22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.(Q)
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
and a word in season, how good it is!(R)
24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,
in order to avoid Sheol below.(S)
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.(T)
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.(U)
27 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.(V)
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.(W)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(X)
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
will lodge among the wise.
32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
but those who heed admonition gain understanding.(Y)
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honor.(Z)

Cross references

  1. 15.1 : Judg 8.1–3; 1 Sam 25.10
  2. 15.2 : Prov 12.23
  3. 15.3 : Job 34.21; Heb 4.13
  4. 15.5 : Prov 13.1, 18
  5. 15.8 : Isa 1.11; Jer 6.20; Mic 6.7
  6. 15.9 : Prov 21.21; 1 Tim 6.11
  7. 15.10 : Prov 1.29–32
  8. 15.11 : Job 26.6; Ps 139.8
  9. 15.12 : Prov 13.1
  10. 15.13 : Prov 12.25; 17.22
  11. 15.16 : Ps 37.16; Prov 16.8; 1 Tim 6.6
  12. 15.17 : Prov 17.1
  13. 15.18 : Prov 14.29; 26.21; 29.22
  14. 15.19 : Prov 22.5
  15. 15.20 : Prov 10.1; 30.17
  16. 15.21 : Prov 10.23; Eph 5.15
  17. 15.22 : Prov 11.14
  18. 15.23 : Prov 25.11
  19. 15.24 : Prov 4.18
  20. 15.25 : Ps 68.5, 6; Prov 12.7
  21. 15.26 : Prov 6.16–19
  22. 15.27 : Prov 28.25; Isa 33.15; 1 Tim 6.10
  23. 15.28 : 1 Pet 3.15
  24. 15.29 : Ps 34.16; 145.18
  25. 15.32 : Prov 1.7
  26. 15.33 : Prov 1.7; 18.12

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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)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.(A)2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(B)3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.(C)4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it ...
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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)

A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath15 A (A)soft answer turns away wrath,But (B)a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,(C)But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 (D)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A [a]wholeso...
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Proverbs 15 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue cru...
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Proverbs 15 - New International Version (NIV)

15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B) but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(C) but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(D) 3 The eyes(E) of the Lord are everywhere,(F) keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(G) 4 The soothing tongue(H) is a tree of life,(I...
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Proverbs 15 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

15 A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger. 2 The tongues of wise people use knowledge well. But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words. 3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. They watch those who are evil and those who are good. 4 A tongue that calms is like a tr...
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Proverbs 15 - New English Translation (NET)

15 A gentle response[a] turns away anger,but a harsh word[b] stirs up wrath.[c]2 The tongue of the wise[d] treats knowledge correctly,[e]but the mouth of the fool spouts out[f] folly.3 The eyes of the Lord[g] are in every place,keeping watch on[h] those who are evil and those who are good.4 Speech[i...
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