Proverbs 15 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 15 ▼
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1 A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent. A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!
12 A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go to the wise. A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly. Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live. Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that hears the reproof of life stays among the wise. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
32 He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
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