Proverbs 15

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.	1 A mild answer calms wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.	2 The tongue of the wise pours out knowledge, but the mouth of fools spurts forth folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.	3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.	4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse one crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.	5 The fool spurns his father's admonition, but prudent is he who heeds reproof.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.	6 In the house of the just there are ample resources, but the earnings of the wicked are in turmoil.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.	7 The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge, but the heart of fools is perverted.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.	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.	9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves the man who pursues virtue.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.	10 Severe punishment is in store for the man who goes astray; he who hates reproof will die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?	11 The nether world and the abyss lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of men!
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.	12 The senseless man loves not to be reproved; to wise men he will not go.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.	13 A glad heart lights up the face, but by mental anguish the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.	14 The mind of the intelligent man seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.	15 Every day is miserable for the depressed, but a lighthearted man has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.	16 Better a little with fear of the LORD than a great fortune with anxiety.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.	17 Better a dish of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.	18 An ill-tempered man stirs up strife, but a patient man allays discord.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.	19 The way of the sluggard is hemmed in as with thorns, but the path of the diligent is a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.	20 A wise son makes his father glad, but a fool of a man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.	21 Folly is joy to the senseless man, but the man of understanding goes the straight way.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.	22 Plans fail when there is no counsel, but they succeed when counselors are many.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!	23 There is joy for a man in his utterance; a word in season, how good it is!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.	24 The path of life leads the prudent man upward, that he may avoid the nether world below.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.	25 The LORD overturns the house of the proud, but he preserves intact the widow's landmark.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.	26 The wicked man's schemes are an abomination to the LORD, but the pure speak what is pleasing to him.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.	27 He who is greedy of gain brings ruin on his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.	28 The just man weighs well his utterance, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.	29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but the prayer of the just he hears.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.	30 A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart; good news invigorates the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.	31 He who listens to salutary reproof will abide among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.	32 He who rejects admonition despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gains understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.	33 The fear of the LORD is training for wisdom, and humility goes before honors.