Proverbs 15

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

1A gentle answer calms anger down. But harsh words make anger grow.

2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

2Wise people share what they know in a helpful way. Foolish people just pour out silly talk.

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

3God sees everything, everywhere. He watches the bad and the good.

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

4Kind words are like a tree that gives life. Cruel words crush a person inside.

5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

5A fool says no to his father's teaching. A person who listens when corrected is wise.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

6Good people's homes hold much treasure. What bad people earn brings them trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

7Wise people spread what they know. Foolish hearts do not do that.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

8An offering is a gift brought to God. He hates the ones bad people bring, but he is glad when honest people pray.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

9God hates the way bad people live. He loves people who keep trying to do right.

10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

10Being corrected feels hard to someone who leaves the right path. Whoever hates being corrected will die.

11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

11The place of the dead and the place of ruin lie wide open to God. So he surely knows what people think inside.

NoteThe KJV says "Hell and destruction." The Hebrew words are Sheol and Abaddon: the place of the dead and the place of ruin. Verse 24 uses the same idea.

12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

12A person who makes fun of others hates being corrected. He will not go to wise people for help.

13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

13A happy heart shows on a person's face. But a sad heart leaves the spirit crushed.

14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

14A person who understands things wants to learn more. A fool's mouth feeds on silly talk.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

15Every day feels bad to a person who is hurting. But a happy heart is like a feast that never ends.

16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

16It is better to have a little and deeply respect God. That beats great treasure with lots of trouble.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

17A simple meal of vegetables where there is love is better. That beats a big meat dinner where people hate each other.

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

18A person with a hot temper starts fights. A person who is slow to get angry calms fights down.

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

19A lazy person's path is like a hedge full of thorns. A good person's path is smooth and open.

20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

20A wise son makes his father glad. A foolish man looks down on his mother.

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

21Silly things make a person with no sense happy. A person who understands walks a straight path.

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

22Plans fall apart when nobody asks for advice. With many good advisers, plans work out.

23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

23It feels good to give the right answer. And a word said at just the right time is wonderful!

24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

24The path of life leads upward for wise people. It takes them away from the place of the dead below.

25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

25God tears down the proud person's house. But he guards the land of a widow, a woman whose husband died.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

26God hates the plans that bad people think up. But the words of pure-hearted people please him.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

27A person greedy for money brings trouble on his family. A person who says no to bribes will live.

Note"Gifts" here means bribes, money given in secret to get someone to cheat.

28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

28A good person thinks carefully before answering. A bad person's mouth blurts out mean things.

29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

29God stays far away from people who do wrong. But he listens when good people pray.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

30A bright look in someone's eyes makes the heart glad. Good news makes the whole body feel strong.

Note"Maketh the bones fat" was an old way of saying "makes you healthy and strong."

31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

31Some correction helps a person live a better life. Whoever listens to it will live among wise people.

32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

32A person who will not learn is hurting himself. A person who listens to correction gains understanding.

33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

33Deep respect for God is what wisdom teaches. Being humble comes first, and honor comes after.