1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
1 A soft H7390 answer H4617 turneth H7725 away wrath: H2534 but grievous H6089 words H1697 stir up H5927 anger. H639
2 The tongue H3956 of the wise H2450 useth knowledge H1847 aright: H3190 but the mouth H6310 of fools H3684 poureth out H5042 foolishness. H200
3 The eyes H5869 of the LORD H3068 are in every place, H4725 beholding H6822 the evil H7451 and the good. H2896
4 A wholesome H4832 tongue H3956 is a tree H6086 of life: H2416 but perverseness H5558 therein is a breach H7667 in the spirit. H7307
5 A fool H191 despiseth H5006 his father's H1 instruction: H4148 but he that regardeth H8104 reproof H8433 is prudent. H6191
6 In the house H1004 of the righteous H6662 is much H7227 treasure: H2633 but in the revenues H8393 of the wicked H7563 is trouble. H5916
7 The lips H8193 of the wise H2450 disperse H2219 knowledge: H1847 but the heart H3820 of the foolish H3684 doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice H2077 of the wicked H7563 is an abomination H8441 to the LORD: H3068 but the prayer H8605 of the upright H3477 is his delight. H7522
9 The way H1870 of the wicked H7563 is an abomination H8441 unto the LORD: H3068 but he loveth H157 him that followeth H7291 after righteousness. H6666
10 Correction H4148 is grievous H7451 unto him that forsaketh H5800 the way: H734 and he that hateth H8130 reproof H8433 shall die. H4191
11 Hell H7585 and destruction H11 are before the LORD: H3068 how much more then the hearts H3826 of the children H1121 of men? H120
12 A scorner H3887 loveth H157 not one that reproveth H3198 him: neither will he go H3212 unto the wise. H2450
13 A merry H8056 heart H3820 maketh a cheerful H3190 countenance: H6440 but by sorrow H6094 of the heart H3820 the spirit H7307 is broken. H5218
14 The heart H3820 of him that hath understanding H995 seeketh H1245 knowledge: H1847 but the mouth H6310 H6440 of fools H3684 feedeth H7462 on foolishness. H200
15 All the days H3117 of the afflicted H6041 are evil: H7451 but he that is of a merry H2896 heart H3820 hath a continual H8548 feast. H4960
16 Better H2896 is little H4592 with the fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 than great H7227 treasure H214 and trouble H4103 therewith.
17 Better H2896 is a dinner H737 of herbs H3419 where love H160 is, than a stalled H75 ox H7794 and hatred H8135 therewith.
18 A wrathful H2534 man H376 stirreth up H1624 strife: H4066 but he that is slow H750 to anger H639 appeaseth H8252 strife. H7379
19 The way H1870 of the slothful H6102 man is as an hedge H4881 of thorns: H2312 but the way H734 of the righteous H3477 is made plain. H5549
20 A wise H2450 son H1121 maketh a glad H8055 father: H1 but a foolish H3684 man H120 despiseth H959 his mother. H517
21 Folly H200 is joy H8057 to him that is destitute H2638 of wisdom: H3820 but a man H376 of understanding H8394 walketh H3212 uprightly. H3474
22 Without counsel H5475 purposes H4284 are disappointed: H6565 but in the multitude H7230 of counsellors H3289 they are established. H6965
23 A man H376 hath joy H8057 by the answer H4617 of his mouth: H6310 and a word H1697 spoken in due season, H6256 how good H2896 is it!
24 The way H734 of life H2416 is above H4605 to the wise, H7919 that he may depart H5493 from hell H7585 beneath. H4295
25 The LORD H3068 will destroy H5255 the house H1004 of the proud: H1343 but he will establish H5324 the border H1366 of the widow. H490
26 The thoughts H4284 of the wicked H7451 are an abomination H8441 to the LORD: H3068 but the words of the pure H2889 are pleasant H5278 words. H561
27 He that is greedy H1214 of gain H1215 troubleth H5916 his own house; H1004 but he that hateth H8130 gifts H4979 shall live. H2421
28 The heart H3820 of the righteous H6662 studieth H1897 to answer: H6030 but the mouth H6310 of the wicked H7563 poureth H5042 out evil things. H7451
29 The LORD H3068 is far H7350 from the wicked: H7563 but he heareth H8085 the prayer H8605 of the righteous. H6662
30 The light H3974 of the eyes H5869 rejoiceth H8055 the heart: H3820 and a good H2896 report H8052 maketh H1878 the bones H6106 fat. H1878
31 The ear H241 that heareth H8085 the reproof H8433 of life H2416 abideth H3885 among H7130 the wise. H2450
32 He that refuseth H6544 instruction H4148 despiseth H3988 his own soul: H5315 but he that heareth H8085 reproof H8433 getteth H7069 understanding. H3820
33 The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 is the instruction H4148 of wisdom; H2451 and before H6440 honour H3519 is humility. H6038
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish `doeth' not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; `And' he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart `hath' a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
24 To the wise the way of life `goeth' upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words `are' pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; `And' good tidings make the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor `goeth' humility.
1 A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
3 In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.
4 A healed tongue `is' a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
6 `In' the house of the righteous `is' abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools `is' not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked `is' an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright `is' His delight.
9 An abomination to Jehovah `is' the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.
10 Chastisement `is' grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.
11 Sheol and destruction `are' before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.
13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted `are' evil, And gladness of heart `is' a perpetual banquet.
16 Better `is' a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 Better `is' an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful `is' as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth `his' going.
22 Without counsel `is' the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23 Joy `is' to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!
24 A path of life `is' on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
25 The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.
26 An abomination to Jehovah `are' thoughts of wickedness, And pure `are' sayings of pleasantness.
27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.
28 The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.
29 Far `is' Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.
31 An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.
32 Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah `is' the instruction of wisdom, And before honour `is' humility!
1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
6 In the house of a righteous [man] is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked [man] is disturbance.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of a wicked [man] is an abomination to Jehovah; but him that pursueth righteousness he loveth.
10 Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.
13 A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of an intelligent [man] seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.
17 Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
24 The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.
25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the evil [man] are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of a righteous [man] studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour [goeth] humility.
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, But deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's correction, But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, But the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; Not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; He will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face; But an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, But one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, But the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; But in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, To keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, But he will keep the widow's borders intact.
26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, But he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, And will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, But he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
1 By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.
2 Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
5 A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.
6 In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.
8 The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.
9 The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.
10 There is bitter punishment for him who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of teaching.
11 Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men!
12 The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but foolish things are the food of the unwise.
15 All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.
17 Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.
18 An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.
19 Thorns are round the way of the hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his mother.
21 Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
22 Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.
23 A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!
24 Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld.
25 The house of the man of pride will be uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow.
26 Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.
27 He whose desires are fixed on profit is a cause of trouble to his family; but he who has no desire for offerings will have life.
28 The heart of the upright gives thought to his answer; but from the mouth of the evil-doer comes a stream of evil things.
29 The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.
30 The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.
31 The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.
32 He who will not be controlled by training has no respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.
33 The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 15
Commentary on Proverbs 15 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
We take these verses together as forming a group which begins with a proverb regarding the good and evil which flows from the tongue, and closes with a proverb regarding the treasure in which blessing is found, and that in which no blessing is found.
Proverbs 15:1
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath,
And a bitter word stirreth up anger.
In the second line, the common word for anger ( אף , from the breathing with the nostrils, Proverbs 14:17) is purposely placed, but in the first, that which denotes anger in the highest degree ( חמה from יחם , cogn. חמם , Arab. hamiya , to glow, like שׁנה from ישׁן ): a mild, gentle word turns away the heat of anger ( excandescentiam ), puts it back, cf. Proverbs 25:15. The Dagesh in רּך follows the rule of the דחיק , i.e. , of the close connection of a word terminating with the accented eh, aah, ah with the following word ( Michlol 63b). The same is the meaning of the Latin proverb:
Frangitur ira gravis
Quando est responsio suavis