Proverbs 15:1-4,23-28
Proverbs 15:1-4 The Message (MSG)
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. GOD doesn’t miss a thing— he’s alert to good and evil alike. Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
Proverbs 15:23-28 The Message (MSG)
Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful! Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful— it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell. GOD smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing. GOD can’t stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display. A greedy and grasping person destroys community; those who refuse to exploit live and let live. Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse.
Proverbs 15:1-4 King James Version (KJV)
A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 King James Version (KJV)
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it! The way of life is above to the wise, That he may depart from hell beneath. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: But he will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: But the words of the pure are pleasant words. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Proverbs 15:1-4 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below. The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure. He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Proverbs 15:1-4 New Century Version (NCV)
A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger. Wise people use knowledge when they speak, but fools pour out foolishness. The LORD’s eyes see everything; he watches both evil and good people. As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life, but dishonest words crush the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 New Century Version (NCV)
People enjoy giving good advice. Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing. Wise people’s lives get better and better. They avoid whatever would cause their death. The LORD will tear down the proud person’s house, but he will protect the widow’s property. The LORD hates evil thoughts but is pleased with kind words. Greedy people bring trouble to their families, but the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live. Good people think before they answer, but the wicked simply pour out evil.
Proverbs 15:1-4 American Standard Version (ASV)
A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger. The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly. The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 American Standard Version (ASV)
A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it! To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath. Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow. Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words are pure. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Proverbs 15:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 New International Version (NIV)
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Proverbs 15:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 New King James Version (NKJV)
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant. He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
Proverbs 15:1-4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. [Prov 25:15] The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors]. [Job 34:21; Prov 5:21; Jer 16:17; 32:19; Heb 4:13] A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 Amplified Bible (AMP)
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is! The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below. [Phil 3:20; Col 3:1, 2] The LORD will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous), But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow. Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the LORD, But pure words are pleasant words to Him. He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house, But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live. [Is 5:8; Jer 17:11] The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way], But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things. [1 Pet 3:15]
Proverbs 15:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 New Living Translation (NLT)
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows. The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Proverbs 15:1-4 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Respond gently when you are confronted and you’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp, cutting words will only make it worse. Don’t you know that being angry can ruin the testimony of even the wisest of men? When wisdom speaks, understanding becomes attractive. But the words of the fool make their ignorance look laughable. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere and he takes note of everything that happens. He watches over his lovers, and he also sees the wickedness of the wicked. When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the tree of life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes.
Proverbs 15:23-28 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Everyone enjoys giving great advice. But how delightful it is to say the right thing at the right time! The life-paths of the prudent lift them progressively heavenward, delivering them from the death spirals that keep tugging them downward. The Lord champions the widow’s cause, but watch him as he smashes down the houses of the haughty! The Lord detests wicked ways of thinking, but he enjoys lovely and delightful words. The one who puts earning money above his family will have trouble at home, but those who refuse to exploit others will live in peace. Lovers of God think before they speak, but the careless blurt out wicked words meant to cause harm.
Proverbs 15:1-4 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:23-28 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
