Proverbs 15 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 15 ▼
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BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing 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 in every place, beholding the evil and the good. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable 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 sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10 Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men! Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts! Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!
12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful 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 afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is 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 slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his 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 maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. 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 to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. 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 he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
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 heareth 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 prayers of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
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