Proverbs 15 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 15 ▼
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1 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless 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 speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly. 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, Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors]. 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 soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes 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 [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction, But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense. 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 Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom], But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God]. 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 spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are 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 hateful and exceedingly offensive 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 life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character]. 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 There is severe discipline for him who turns from the way [of righteousness]; And he who hates correction will 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 Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the LORD— How much more the hearts and inner motives 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 scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him; Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction]. 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 heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed. 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 mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool 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 bad, But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances]. 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 a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LORD Than great treasure and trouble with it. 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 vegetables and herbs where love is present Than a fattened ox served with hatred. 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 hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes. 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 lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway. 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 father glad, 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 Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense, But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight]. 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 consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they are established and succeed. 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 in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is! 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 [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below. 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 tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous), But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] 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 Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the LORD, But pure words are pleasant words to Him. 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 who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house, But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will 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 thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way], But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent 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 [and distances Himself from them], But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage]. 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 hearts of others, And good news puts fat on the bones. 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 listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain 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 who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself, But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom]. 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 [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence]; And before honor comes 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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