The Gentle Answer
Proverbs 15
This chapter opens by teaching that a gentle answer turns away wrath while a harsh word stirs up anger, and that the eyes of the Lord see both the evil and the good everywhere. It contrasts the sacrifices and prayers of the wicked, which the Lord rejects, with those of the upright, which he accepts, and repeatedly commends a small portion held with the fear of the Lord over wealth gained without it.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
1
ThomsonWRATH destroyeth even the prudent; now a soft answer turneth away wrath, but a harsh word stirreth up anger.
BrentonAnger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
GreekὈργὴ ἀπόλλυσι καὶ φρονίμους, ἀπόκρισις δὲ ὑποπίπτουσα ἀποστρέφει θυμὸν, λόγος δὲ λυπηρὸς ἐγείρει ὀργάς.
KJVA soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2
ThomsonThe tongue of the wise knoweth good things; but the mouth of fools poureth out evils.
BrentonThe tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
GreekΓλῶσσα σοφῶν καλὰ ἐπίσταται, στόμα δὲ ἀφρόνων ἀναγγέλλει κακά.
KJVThe tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3
ThomsonThe eyes of the Lord are in every place, they behold both the evil and the good.
BrentonThe eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
GreekἘν παντὶ τόπῳ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου σκοπεύουσι κακούς τε καὶ ἀγαθούς.
KJVThe eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4
ThomsonA healing tongue is a tree of life; and he who keepeth it shall be filled with the spirit.
BrentonThe wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
GreekἼασις γλώσσης δένδρον ζωῆς, ὁ δὲ συντηρῶν αὐτὴν πλησθήσεται πνεύματος.
KJVA wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5
ThomsonA fool despiseth the instruction of a father: but he who keepeth commands is more prudent. Where righteousness aboundeth there is much power: but the wicked being utterly rooted out of the land, shall perish.
BrentonA fool scorns his father's instruction: but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
GreekἌφρων μυκτηρίζει παιδείαν πατρὸς, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐντολὰς, πανουργότερος· ἐν πλεοναζούσῃ δικαιοσύνῃ ἰσχὺς πολλὴ, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ὁλόῤῥιζοι ἐκ γῆς ἀπολοῦνται.
KJVA fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6
ThomsonIn the houses of the righteous there is much power; but the fruits of the wicked shall perish.
BrentonIn the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
GreekΟἴκοις δικαίων ἰσχὺς πολλή, καρποὶ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἀπολοῦνται.
KJV—
7
ThomsonThe lips of the wise are devoted to knowledge; but the hearts of fools are not safe.
BrentonThe lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
GreekΧείλη σοφῶν δέδεται αἰσθήσει, καρδίαι δὲ ἀφρόνων οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς.
KJVThe lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8
ThomsonThe sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of the upright are acceptable to him.
BrentonThe sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
GreekΘυσίαι ἀσεβῶν βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ, εὐχαὶ δὲ κατευθυνόντων δεκταὶ παρʼ αὐτῷ.
KJV—
9
ThomsonThe ways of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord; but he loveth them who follow righteousness.
BrentonThe ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
GreekΒδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ ὁδοὶ ἀσεβοῦς, διώκοντας δὲ δικαιοσύνην ἀγαπᾷ.
KJVThe way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10
ThomsonThe correction of the innocent is remarked by them who pass by; but they who hate reproofs die dishonourably.
BrentonThe instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
GreekΠαιδεία ἀκάκου γνωρίζεται ὑπὸ τῶν παριόντων, οἱ δὲ μισοῦντες ἐλέγχους τελευτῶσιν αἰσχρῶς.
KJV—
11
ThomsonThe mansion of the dead, and destruction, are open to the view of the Lord; how much more, then, the hearts of men!
BrentonHell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?
GreekἍδης καὶ ἀπώλεια φανερὰ παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ· πῶς οὐχὶ καὶ αἱ καρδίαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων;
KJVHell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12
ThomsonAn uninstructed man will not love them who reprove him, nor will he associate with the wise.
BrentonAn uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.
GreekΟὐκ ἀγαπήσει ἀπαίδευτος τοὺς ἐλέγχοντας αὐτόν, μετὰ δὲ σοφῶν οὐχ ὁμιλήσει.
KJVA scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13
ThomsonWhen the heart is glad the countenance is cheerful; but when in sorrow, it is sad.
BrentonWhen the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.
GreekΚαρδίας εὐφραινομένης πρόσωπον θάλλει, ἐν δὲ λύπαις οὔσης σκυθρωπάζει.
KJVA merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14
ThomsonAn upright heart seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the uninstructed will taste evils.
BrentonAn upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
GreekΚαρδία ὀρθὴ ζητεῖ αἴσθησιν, στόμα δὲ ἀπαιδεύτων γνώσεται κακά.
KJV—
15
ThomsonThe eyes of the wicked are continually looking for evils; but the good are continually at rest.
BrentonThe eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.
GreekΠάντα τὸν χρόνον οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τῶν κακῶν προσδέχονται κακὰ, οἱ δὲ ἀγαθοὶ ἡσυχάζουσι διαπαντός.
KJV—
16
ThomsonBetter is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without that fear.
BrentonBetter is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear of the Lord.
GreekΚρεῖσσον μικρὰ μερὶς μετὰ φόβου Κυρίου, ἢ θησαυροὶ μεγάλοι μετὰ ἀφοβίας.
KJVBetter is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17
ThomsonBetter is a dinner on herbs, with friendship and favour, than a feast on young bulls, with enmity.
BrentonBetter is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
GreekΚρείσσων ξενισμὸς μετὰ λαχάνων πρὸς φιλίαν καὶ χάριν, ἢ παράθεσις μόσχων μετὰ ἔχθρας.
KJVBetter is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18
Thomson—
BrentonA passionate man stirs up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeases even a rising one.
GreekἈνὴρ θυμώδης παρασκευάζει μάχας· μακρόθυμος δὲ καὶ τὴν μέλλουσαν καταπρᾳΰνει·
KJVA wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
18a
ThomsonA wrathful man prepareth battles; but he who is slow to anger appeaseth the rising quarrel. A man slow to anger will extinguish law suits; but the wicked rather promote them.
BrentonA man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs them up.
Greekμακρόθυμος ἀνὴρ κατασβέσει κρίσεις, ὁ δὲ ἀσεβὴς ἐγείρει μᾶλλον.
KJV—
19
ThomsonThe ways of the slothful are strewed with thorns; but those of the diligent are well beaten.
BrentonThe ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.
GreekὉδοὶ ἀεργῶν ἐστρωμέναι ἀκάνθαις, αἱ δὲ τῶν ἀνδρείων τετριμμέναι.
KJV—
20
ThomsonA wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son mocketh his mother.
BrentonA wise son gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
GreekΥἱὸς σοφὸς εὐφραίνει πατέρα, υἱὸς δὲ ἄφρων μυκτηρίζει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.
KJVA wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21
ThomsonThe paths of the foolish are destitute of understanding; but a prudent man walketh uprightly.
BrentonThe ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.
GreekἈνοήτου τρίβοι ἐνδεεῖς φρενῶν, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος κατευθύνων πορεύεται.
KJV—
22
ThomsonThey who do not honour councils, substitute thoughts: but by the understanding of counsellors, counsel will endure.
BrentonThey that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.
GreekὙπερτίθενται λογισμοὺς οἱ μὴ τιμῶντες συνέδρια, ἐν δὲ καρδίαις βουλευομένων μένει βουλή.
KJV—
23
ThomsonA wicked man will not hearken to it, nor can he say anything in season, or for the public good.
BrentonA bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common weal.
GreekΟὐ μὴ ὑπακούσει ὁ κακὸς αὐτῇ, οὐδὲ μὴ εἴπῃ καίριόν τι καὶ καλὸν τῷ κοινῷ.
KJV—
24
ThomsonThe determinations of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn from the mansion of the dead and be saved.
BrentonThe thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.
GreekὉδοὶ ζωῆς διανοήματα συνετοῦ, ἵνα ἐκκλίνας ἐκ τοῦ ᾅδου σωθῇ.
KJVThe way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25
ThomsonThe Lord destroyeth the houses of the haughty: but the border of the widow He hath established.
BrentonThe Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.
GreekΟἴκους ὑβριστῶν κατασπᾷ Κύριος, ἐστήρισε δὲ ὅριον χήρας.
KJVThe LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26
ThomsonAn evil thought is an abomination to the Lord: but the speeches of the chaste are grave.
BrentonAn unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.
GreekΒδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ λογισμὸς ἄδικος, ἁγνῶν δὲ ῥήσεις σεμναί.
KJVThe thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27
Thomson—
BrentonA receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe.
GreekἘξόλλυσιν ἑαυτὸν ὁ δωρολήπτης, ὁ δὲ μισῶν δώρων λήψεις σώζεται·
KJV—
27a
ThomsonHe who receiveth bribes destroyeth himself: but he who hateth the receiving of bribes is safe. By acts of kindness and faithfulness sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord everyone will decline from evil.
Brenton[By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away;] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.
Greekἐλεημοσύναις καὶ πίστεσιν ἀποκαθαίρονται ἁμαρτίαι, τῷ δὲ φόβῳ Κυρίου ἐκκλίνει πᾶς ἀπὸ κακοῦ.
KJV—
28
ThomsonThe hearts of the righteous study faithfulness: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The ways of the righteous are acceptable to the Lord: and by them enemies are made friends.
BrentonThe hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things.
GreekΚαρδίαι δικαίων μελετῶσι πίστεις, στόμα δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἀποκρίνεται κακά·
KJVThe heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
28a
Thomson—
BrentonThe ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.
Greekδεκταὶ παρὰ Κυρίῳ ὁδοὶ ἀνθρώπων δικαίων, διὰ δὲ αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ ἐχθροὶ φίλοι γίνονται.
KJV—
29
ThomsonGod is far removed from the wicked: but He hearkeneth to the prayers of the righteous. Better is a small portion with righteousness; than much produce with injustice. Let the heart of man devise righteous things, that his steps may be directed by God.
BrentonGod is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous.
GreekΜακρὰν ἀπέχει ὁ Θεὸς ἀπὸ ἀσεβῶν, εὐχαῖς δὲ δικαίων ἐπακούει·
KJVThe LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
29a
Thomson—
BrentonBetter are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.
Greekκρείσσων ὀλίγη λῆψις μετὰ δικαιοσύνης, ἢ πολλὰ γεννήματα μετὰ ἀδικίας.
KJV—
29b
Thomson—
BrentonLet the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God.
GreekΚαρδία ἀνδρὸς λογιζέσθω δίκαια, ἵνα ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ διορθωθῇ τὰ διαβήματα αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
30
ThomsonAnd a good reputation maketh the bones fat.
BrentonThe eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.
GreekΘεωρῶν ὀφθαλμὸς καλὰ εὐφραίνει καρδίαν, φημη δὲ ἀγαθὴ πιαίνει ὀστᾶ.
KJV—
32
ThomsonHe who rejecteth instruction hateth himself: but he who regardeth reproofs loveth his soul.
BrentonHe that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that minds reproofs loves his soul.
GreekὋς ἀπωθεῖται παιδείαν, μισεῖ ἑαυτὸν· ὁ δὲ τηρῶν ἐλέγχους, ἀγαπᾷ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
33
ThomsonThe fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom: and the beginning of glory will be answerable thereto.
BrentonThe fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.
GreekΦόβος Κυρίου παιδεία καὶ σοφία, καὶ ἀρχὴ δόξης ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτῇ.
KJVThe fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.