Proverbs 15 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 15 ▼
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1 A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury. 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 wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout 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, observing both 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 gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters 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 rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly. 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 The righteous house is itself a great treasure, but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work. 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 What the wise have to say disseminates knowledge, but it's not in the heart of fools to do 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 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 LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
9 The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue 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 Severe punishment awaits anyone who wanders off the path— anyone who despises reproof 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 Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings! 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 The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him; he will not inquire of 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 happy heart enlightens the face, but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit. 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 A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity. 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 The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously. 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 accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil. 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 A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity. 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 The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute. 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 lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open 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 Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man 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 Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing. 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 leads upward for the wise so he may avoid Sheol 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 house of the proud the LORD will demolish, but he will protect the widow's boundary line. 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 To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure. 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 Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes, but the person who hates bribes 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 mind of the righteous thinks before speaking, but the wicked person spews 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 weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The LORD is far away from the wicked, but he hears the prayers 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 Bright eyes encourage the heart; good news nourishes the body. 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 Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home 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 Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains 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 teaches wisdom, and humility precedes honor. 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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