Proverbs 15:1
New International Version
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

New Living Translation
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

English Standard Version
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Berean Standard Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

King James Bible
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

New King James Version
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

New American Standard Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

NASB 1995
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

NASB 1977
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Legacy Standard Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Amplified Bible
A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.

Christian Standard Bible
A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

American Standard Version
A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

Contemporary English Version
A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.

English Revised Version
A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth up anger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Good News Translation
A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.

International Standard Version
A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury.

Majority Standard Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

NET Bible
A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

New Heart English Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Webster's Bible Translation
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

World English Bible
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A soft answer turns back fury, "" And a grievous word raises up anger.

Young's Literal Translation
A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.

Smith's Literal Translation
A soft answer will turn away wrath, and a word of pain will bring up anger.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.

New American Bible
A mild answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

New Revised Standard Version
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A SOFT word turns away wrath; but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A soft word turns away anger and a hard word arouses wrath.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.…

Cross References
James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Timothy 2:24
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

Titus 3:2
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.


Treasury of Scripture

A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

grievous

Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 28:25
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

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Anger Angry Bitter Cause Feelings Fury Gentle Grievous Harsh Raiseth Soft Stir Stirreth Stirs Turned Turneth Turns Word Words Wrath
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Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














A gentle answer
The Hebrew word for "gentle" is "rak," which conveys a sense of softness, tenderness, or mildness. In the context of ancient Israel, where oral communication was paramount, a gentle answer was seen as a powerful tool for de-escalating conflict. The wisdom literature of the Bible often emphasizes the power of words, and here, a gentle answer is portrayed as a means to diffuse potential hostility. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of responding to others with love and patience, reflecting the character of God who is described as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8).

turns away wrath
The phrase "turns away" comes from the Hebrew "shub," meaning to turn back or return. This suggests an active redirection of emotion or situation. "Wrath" is translated from "chemah," indicating intense anger or fury. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wrath could lead to destructive outcomes, both personally and communally. The verse implies that a gentle response has the power to redirect or neutralize such intense emotions, promoting peace and reconciliation. This reflects the biblical call to be peacemakers, as seen in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

but a harsh word
The term "harsh" is derived from the Hebrew "etseb," which can mean painful, hurtful, or grievous. Words have the power to wound deeply, and a harsh word can exacerbate tensions and lead to further conflict. In the biblical context, the tongue is often depicted as a powerful instrument that can either build up or destroy (James 3:5-6). The contrast between a gentle answer and a harsh word underscores the importance of choosing our words carefully, as they can have profound impacts on relationships and community harmony.

stirs up anger
"Stirs up" comes from the Hebrew "alah," meaning to go up, ascend, or rise. This suggests that harsh words can elevate or intensify emotions, leading to increased anger. "Anger" is translated from "aph," which can also mean nostrils or face, indicating the physical manifestation of anger. In the ancient world, anger was often seen as a force that could disrupt social order and lead to violence. The verse warns of the destructive potential of harsh words, encouraging believers to pursue peace and understanding instead. This aligns with the New Testament teaching in Ephesians 4:29, which advises believers to speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.

Verse 1. - A soft answer turneth away wrath. Two things are here to be observed: an answer should be given - the injured person should not wrap himself in sullen silence; and that answer should be gentle and conciliatory. This is tersely put in a mediaeval rhyme -

"Frangitur ira gravis
Quando est respensio suavis."

"Anger, however great,
Is checked by answer sweet."
Septuagint, "A submissive (ὑποπίπτουσα) answer averteth wrath." Thus Abigail quelled the excessive anger of David by her judicious submission (1 Samuel 25:24, etc.). But grievous words stir up anger. A word that causes vexation makes anger rise the higher.

Ὁργῆς ματαίας εἰσὶν αἰτιοι λόγοι. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A gentle
רַּ֭ךְ (raḵ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7390: Tender, delicate, soft

answer
מַֽעֲנֶה־ (ma·‘ă·neh-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4617: An answer, response

turns away
יָשִׁ֣יב (yā·šîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

wrath,
חֵמָ֑ה (ḥê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison

but a harsh
עֶ֝֗צֶב (‘e·ṣeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6089: An earthen vessel, toil, a pang

word
וּדְבַר־ (ū·ḏə·ḇar-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

stirs up
יַעֲלֶה־ (ya·‘ă·leh-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

anger.
אָֽף׃ (’āp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath (Prov. Pro Pr)
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