The Word Am I

The Proverbs

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞

- Chapter 15 -

The tongue of the wise

1
A mild response shatters anger. But a harsh word stirs up fury.
2
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge. But the mouth of the senseless gushes with foolishness.
3
In every place, the eyes of the Lord consider good and evil.
4
A peaceful tongue is a tree of life. But that which is immoderate will crush the spirit.
5
A fool laughs at the discipline of his father. But whoever preserves rebukes will become astute. In abundant justice, there is very great virtue. But the intentions of the impious will be eradicated.
6
The house of the just has very great strength. And in the fruits of the impious, there is disorder.
7
The lips of the wise shall disseminate knowledge. The heart of the foolish will be dissimilar.
8
The sacrifices of the impious are abominable to the Lord. The vows of the just are appeasing.
9
The way of the impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.
10
Doctrine is evil to those who abandon the way of life. Whoever hates correction shall die.
11
Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men!
12
He who corrupts himself does not love the one who afflicts him, nor will he step toward the wise.

Reward for a cheerful heart

13
A rejoicing heart gladdens the face. But by the grief of the soul, the spirit is cast down.
14
The heart of the wise seeks doctrine. And the mouth of the foolish feeds on ignorance.
15
All the days of the poor are evil. A secure mind is like a continual feast.
16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures and dissatisfaction.
17
It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
18
A short-tempered man provokes conflicts. Whoever is patient tempers those who are stirred up.
19
The way of the slothful is like a hedge of thorns. The way of the just is without offense.
20
A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.

Instruction in wisdom

21
Folly is gladness to the foolish. And the prudent man sets his own steps in order.
22
Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.
23
A man rejoices in the verdict of his own mouth. And a word at the right time is best.
24
The path of life is for the wise above, so that he may turn away from the end of Hell.(a)
25
The Lord will demolish the house of the arrogant. And He will make firm the borders of the widow.
26
Evil intentions are an abomination to the Lord. And pure conversation, most beautiful, shall be confirmed by him.
27
Whoever pursues avarice disturbs his own house. But whoever hates bribes shall live. Through mercy and faith, sins are purged. But through the fear of the Lord, each one turns aside from evil.
28
The mind of the just meditates on obedience. The mouth of the impious overflows with evils.
29
The Lord is distant from the impious. And he will heed the prayers of the just.
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the soul. A good reputation fattens the bones.
31
The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.
32
Whoever rejects discipline despises his own soul. But whoever agrees to correction is a possessor of the heart.
33
The fear of the Lord is the discipline of wisdom. And humility precedes glory.

Footnotes

(a)15:24 Or, ‘the finality of Hell,’ or ‘a conclusion in Hell,’ or ‘the deepest part of Hell,’ or ‘an ending in Hell.’ The wise are above ground, i.e. they are alive.(Conte)

The tongue of the wise

1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3
The LORD’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 the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, 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 (a) and Abaddon are before the LORD— 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.

Reward for a cheerful heart

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 the LORD, 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.

Instruction in wisdom

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.(b)
25
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26
The LORD 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
The LORD 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 the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

Footnotes

(a)15:11 Sheol is the place of the dead.
(b)15:24 Sheol is the place of the dead.
⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞