Proverbs 15 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 15 ▼
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NLT
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English Standard Version
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1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 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 makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches 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 LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on 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 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue 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 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 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 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring 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 give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. 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 LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. 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 LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness. 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 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever 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 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart! 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 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from 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 glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the 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 wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. 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 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is 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 to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner 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 bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. 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 person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. 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 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of 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 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their 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 brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. 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 go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! 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 path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. 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 tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows. 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 LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure 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 Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate 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 heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. 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 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 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. 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 If you listen to constructive criticism, you 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 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in 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 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; 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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