Proverbs 15 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Proverbs 15
1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But harsh words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge pleasing; But the mouth of fools poureth forth folly.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place; They behold the evil and the good.
4A mild tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a wound in the spirit.
5The fool despiseth the correction of his father; But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6In the house of the righteous is much wealth; But in the revenues of the wicked there is trouble.
7The lips of the wise spread abroad knowledge; But the heart of the foolish is not sound.
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But the prayer of the righteous is his delight.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But him who followeth after righteousness he loveth.
10Sore chastisement shall be to him that forsaketh the way; He that hateth reproof shall die.
11The underworld, yea, the region of death, is before the LORD; How much more the hearts of the sons of men!
12The scoffer loveth not his reprover; He will not resort to the wise.
13A joyous heart maketh a bright countenance; But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of the man of understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15The days of the afflicted are all evil; But he that hath a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
16Better is a little, with the fear of the LORD, Than much treasure, and trouble therewith.
17Better is a dinner of herbs, where there is love, Than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.
18The passionate man stirreth up strife; But he who is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; But the way of the righteous is a highway.
20A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him who lacketh wisdom; But the man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22Without counsel, plans come to nought; But with a multitude of counsellors they are established.
23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good it is!
24The path of life is upward for the wise, So that he turneth away from the underworld beneath.
25The LORD destroyeth the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
26Evil devices are an abomination to the LORD; But pleasant words are pure.
27He who is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he who hateth bribes shall live.
28The heart of the righteous meditateth on his answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29The LORD is far from the wicked: But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, And good tidings make the bones fat.
31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall dwell among the wise.
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own life; But he that hearkeneth to rebuke getteth understanding.
33The fear of the LORD guideth to wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Proverbs 15
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Proverbs 15
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Proverbs 15 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 15:16
"Better is a little, with the fear of the LORD, Than much treasure, and trouble therewith."
"Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith."
