Proverbs 15 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
During the reign of King Solomon (~970-930 BC)
Location
Kingdom of Israel, primarily Jerusalem
Audience
The people of Israel, especially young men and court officials seeking wisdom
Situation
Proverbs 15 consists of a series of short, antithetical proverbs contrasting wise and foolish behavior, righteous and wicked conduct in areas like speech, family, and humility.
Key Background
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings largely attributed to Solomon, emphasizing practical guidance for godly living. It draws from ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions but is rooted in Yahweh's covenant with Israel. This chapter highlights themes like the power of a gentle tongue, the benefits of discipline, and God's favor toward the humble.
A answer turns away but a cutting word stokes anger.
The tongue of the makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of pours out stupidity.
Yahweh's eyes are everywhere — watching over both the and the good.
A tongue is a of but twisted words crush the
A fool rejects his father's but anyone who accepts feedback shows
There is great wealth in the house of those who do but haunts the earnings of the corrupt.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the of fools are not dependable.
Yahweh the of the corrupt, but the prayer of the is his delight.
Yahweh detests the path of the corrupt, but he loves the one who what is
Harsh waits for the one who abandons the path; whoever hates will die.
The and the of lie open before Yahweh — how much more the hearts of every person.
A hates being corrected — they will never go to the wise for help.
A heart makes the face radiant, but heartache crushes the
A mind hungers for knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.
Every day is miserable for the but a cheerful heart lives in a constant
Better to have little with for than great wealth with
Better a plate of vegetables where there is than a ox served with hatred.
A person stirs up conflict, but the one calms a quarrel.
The path of the is like a hedge of thorns, but the road of the upright is a smooth
A child brings joy to a father, but a foolish person their own mother.
Stupidity is entertaining to someone without sense, but a person of stays on a
Plans fall apart without but with many advisors they succeed.
There is joy in giving a good answer, and how good is a word at just the
The of leads upward for the wise, keeping them from going down to the
Yahweh tears down the house of the but he protects the of the
Yahweh detests of but are in his sight.
Whoever chases brings trouble on their own household, but the one who hates will thrive.
The of someone who does right how to but the mouth of the corrupt pours out harmful things.
Yahweh is from the corrupt, but he hears the prayer of those who do right.
bring joy to the heart, and good news gives to the
The ear that listens to will be at home among the wise.
Whoever ignores correction their own but whoever listens to reproof gains
for teaches wisdom, and comes before