Proverbs 15 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Pro 15:1

Pro 15:1A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Pro 15:2

Pro 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Pro 15:3

Pro 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Pro 15:4

Pro 15:4A gentle[fn] tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Pro 15:5

Pro 15:5A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Pro 15:6

Pro 15:6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Pro 15:7

Pro 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.[fn]

Pro 15:8

Pro 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Pro 15:9

Pro 15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

Pro 15:10

Pro 15:10There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
whoever hates reproof will die.

Pro 15:11

Pro 15:11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Pro 15:12

Pro 15:12A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.

Pro 15:13

Pro 15:13A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Pro 15:14

Pro 15:14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Pro 15:15

Pro 15:15All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Pro 15:16

Pro 15:16Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure and trouble with it.

Pro 15:17

Pro 15:17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Pro 15:18

Pro 15:18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Pro 15:19

Pro 15:19The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.

Pro 15:20

Pro 15:20A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.

Pro 15:21

Pro 15:21Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Pro 15:22

Pro 15:22Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.

Pro 15:23

Pro 15:23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in season, how good it is!

Pro 15:24

Pro 15:24The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

Pro 15:25

Pro 15:25The LORD tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

Pro 15:26

Pro 15:26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
but gracious words are pure.

Pro 15:27

Pro 15:27Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
but he who hates bribes will live.

Pro 15:28

Pro 15:28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Pro 15:29

Pro 15:29The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Pro 15:30

Pro 15:30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes[fn] the bones.

Pro 15:31

Pro 15:31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.

Pro 15:32

Pro 15:32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

Pro 15:33

Pro 15:33The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(15:4)

Or healing

(15:7)

Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast

(15:30)

Hebrew makes fat

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.