Proverbs 15

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Ref A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.

2 Ref The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.

3 Ref In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.

4 Ref A healed tongue `is' a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.

5 Ref A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

6 Ref `In' the house of the righteous `is' abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.

7 Ref The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools `is' not right.

8 Ref The sacrifice of the wicked `is' an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright `is' His delight.

9 Ref An abomination to Jehovah `is' the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.

10 Ref Chastisement `is' grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.

11 Ref Sheol and destruction `are' before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

12 Ref A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.

13 Ref A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.

14 Ref The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.

15 Ref All the days of the afflicted `are' evil, And gladness of heart `is' a perpetual banquet.

16 Ref Better `is' a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

17 Ref Better `is' an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

18 Ref A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 Ref The way of the slothful `is' as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.

20 Ref A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

21 Ref Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth `his' going.

22 Ref Without counsel `is' the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.

23 Ref Joy `is' to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!

24 Ref A path of life `is' on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.

25 Ref The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.

26 Ref An abomination to Jehovah `are' thoughts of wickedness, And pure `are' sayings of pleasantness.

27 Ref A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.

28 Ref The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.

29 Ref Far `is' Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.

30 Ref The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.

31 Ref An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.

32 Ref Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.

33 Ref The fear of Jehovah `is' the instruction of wisdom, And before honour `is' humility!

American Standard-ASV1901 (ASV)

1 Ref A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 Ref The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3 Ref The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 Ref A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

5 Ref A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

6 Ref In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 Ref The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish `doeth' not so.

8 Ref The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 Ref The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 Ref There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; `And' he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Ref Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12 Ref A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.

13 Ref A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 Ref The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15 Ref All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart `hath' a continual feast.

16 Ref Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Ref Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 Ref A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 Ref The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.

20 Ref A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Ref Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

22 Ref Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 Ref A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!

24 Ref To the wise the way of life `goeth' upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 Ref Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 Ref Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words `are' pure.

27 Ref He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.

28 Ref The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 Ref Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 Ref The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; `And' good tidings make the bones fat.

31 Ref The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

32 Ref He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

33 Ref The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor `goeth' humility.

Chapter 15 of 31

Begin Your Journey of Faith

We all start at different points in our walk with Christ. No matter where you are, we're here to support you as you grow in faith.

Accept Jesus Christ as Your Savior

If you haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus yet, we want to walk with you as you discover the new life He offers.

Read "A Truly Free Gift"

What Guides Our Walk With Christ

Discover the biblical truths and core beliefs that shape how we live, serve, and walk faithfully with Christ each day.

Explore Our Beliefs

Join a Community of Believers

Don’t walk through life alone. Find others to connect with, whether in person or online, and grow together in Christ.

Discover Where We Meet