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Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 15

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

*A gentle response calms down anger, but harsh words make people more angry.

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

*The wise person uses knowledge well, but a fool's mouth speaks foolish things.

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

*God's eyes see everything; they watch both bad and good things.

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

*A good tongue brings life: but badness in it causes damage to the spirit.

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

*A foolish person ignores their father's teachings, but someone who listens to criticism is wise.

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

*In righteous people's homes, there is lots of wealth. But wicked people's earnings bring problems.

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

*Wise people's lips share knowledge, but foolish people's hearts don't.

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

*Bad actions displease God, but prayers from good people make Him happy.

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

*The path of bad people is hated by God, but He loves those who seek to do what is right.

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

*It hurts someone who leaves the right path to be corrected. And, a person who hates being told they're wrong will eventually die.

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

*Hell and destruction are under God's control; therefore, He also controls human hearts.

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

*A person who mocks others doesn't like those who point out their mistakes. They also don't seek out wise people.

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

*A happy heart creates a bright smile: but a sad heart can make the spirit weak.

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

*The wise person's heart desires to learn, but a fool's mouth only consumes silly things.

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

*Days of suffering are bad, but a happy person always has a celebration.

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

*It's better to have a small amount of things but be afraid of God, than to have lots of money and problems that come with it.

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

*It's better to have a simple meal with love than a fancy meal with hate.

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

*An angry person causes trouble, but someone who is patient calms down conflicts.

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

*The lazy person's path is filled with obstacles, but the righteous person's path is easy to follow.

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

*A smart child brings happiness to their dad: but a silly person disrespects their mom.

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

*Foolishness feels good to someone who doesn't have wisdom. But a smart person walks in the right way.

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

*Getting advice helps plans succeed; many advisors make goals stronger.

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

*A person feels happy when they get the right reply from their speech. Saying the right thing at the perfect time is very good.

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

*To smart people, living right is important, so they can avoid the bad place below.

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

*God will demolish the home of the arrogant, but protect the territory of the widow.

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

*Wicked thoughts are hated by God, but kind words are liked by Him.

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

*Greed for money causes problems at home, but hating gifts leads to a better life.

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

*The good person's heart seeks to do good, but the bad person's mouth speaks bad things.

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

*God stays away from bad people, but listens to the prayers of good people.

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

*Light makes the eyes happy, and good news makes the body strong.

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

*The ear that listens to helpful criticism stays with the smart people.

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

*Refusing guidance is bad for you, but listening to criticism brings wisdom.

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

*Fearing God leads to wise choices, and being humble brings honor.

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