151 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction[1] lie open before the Lord- how much more do human hearts!

12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Other Translations of Proverbs 15:1-15

King James Version

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

English Standard Version

151 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

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

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A gentleOr healing tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

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

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

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

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

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

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

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

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

The Message

151 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.

3 God doesn't miss a thing - he's alert to good and evil alike.

4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.

5 Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.

6 The lives of God-loyal people flourish; a misspent life is soon bankrupt.

7 Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow - there's nothing to them.

8 God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.

9 A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line.

10 It's a school of hard knocks for those who leave God's path, a dead-end street for those who hate God's rules.

11 Even hell holds no secrets from God - do you think he can't read human hearts? Life Ascends to the Heights

12 Know-it-alls don't like being told what to do; they avoid the company of wise men and women.

13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.

14 An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.

15 A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.

New King James Version

151 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

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 in it breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

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 to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

11 Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

New Living Translation

151 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

5 Only a fool despises a parent's discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.

8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.

10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.

11 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord . How much more does he know the human heart!

12 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 15:1-15

Commentary on Proverbs 15:1

(Read Proverbs 15:1)

A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:2

(Read Proverbs 15:2)

He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:3

(Read Proverbs 15:3)

Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:4

(Read Proverbs 15:4)

A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:5

(Read Proverbs 15:5)

If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:6

(Read Proverbs 15:6)

The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:7

(Read Proverbs 15:7)

We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:8-9

(Read Proverbs 15:8-9)

The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:10

(Read Proverbs 15:10)

He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:11

(Read Proverbs 15:11)

There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:12

(Read Proverbs 15:12)

A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:13

(Read Proverbs 15:13)

A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:14

(Read Proverbs 15:14)

A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.

Commentary on Proverbs 15:15

(Read Proverbs 15:15)

Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling.