Proverbs 15

Proverbs · Chapter 15

Proverbs 15:1

1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
1A 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 soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
an answerמַֽעֲנֶה־ma-'a-neh-H4617
answer

מַעֲנֶה (ma.a.neh) 1) answer, response 2) (TWOT) place for task

softרַּ֭ךְrakhH7390
tender

רַךְ (rakh) 1) tender, soft, delicate, weak 1a) tender, delicate (of flesh) 1b) weak of heart, timid 1c) soft (of words) 1c1) gentle words (subst)

it turns awayיָשִׁ֣יבya-SHIVH7725I
to return: return

שׁוּב (shuv) : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) …

rageחֵמָ֑הche-MAHH2534
rage

חֱמָא (che.ma) anger, rage Aramaic of che.mah (חֵמָה "rage" H2534)

and a word ofוּדְבַר־u-de-var-H1697G
word

דָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

hurtעֶ֝֗צֶב'E-tzevH6089A
toil

עֶ֫צֶב (e.tsev) 1) pain, hurt, toil, sorrow, labour, hardship 1a) pain 1b) hurt, offense 1c) toil, hardship

it raisesיַעֲלֶה־ya-'a-leh-H5927H
to ascend: rise

עָלָה (a.lah) : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away …

angerאָֽף׃'AfH0639G
face: anger

אַף (aph) : anger 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.