Proverbs 15 Comparison: Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version
Proverbs 15
1A soft answere brekith ire; an hard word reisith woodnesse.
2The tunge of wise men ourneth kunnyng; the mouth of foolis buylith out foli.
3In ech place the iyen of the Lord biholden good men, and yuel men.
4A plesaunt tunge is the tre of lijf; but the tunge which is vnmesurable, schal defoule the spirit.
5A fool scorneth the techyng of his fadir; but he that kepith blamyngis, schal be maad wisere. Moost vertu schal be in plenteuouse riytfulnesse; but the thouytis of wickid men schulen be drawun vp bi the roote.
6The hous of a iust man is moost strengthe; and disturbling is in the fruitis of a wickid man.
7The lippis of wise men schulen sowe abrood kunnyng; the herte of foolis schal be vnlijc.
8The sacrifices of wickyd men ben abhomynable to the Lord; avowis of iust men ben plesaunt.
9The lijf of the vnpitouse man is abhomynacioun to the Lord; he that sueth riytfulnesse, schal be loued of the Lord.
10Yuel teching is of men forsakinge the weie of lijf; he that hatith blamyngis, schal die.
11Helle and perdicioun ben open bifor the Lord; hou myche more the hertis of sones of men.
12A man ful of pestilence loueth not hym that repreueth him; and he goith not to wyse men.
13A ioiful herte makith glad the face; the spirit is cast doun in the morenyng of soule.
14The herte of a wijs man sekith techyng; and the mouth of foolis is fed with vnkunnyng.
15Alle the daies of a pore man ben yuele; a sikir soule is a contynuel feeste.
16Betere is a litil with the drede of the Lord, than many tresouris and vnfillable.
17It is betere to be clepid to wortis with charite, than with hatrede to a calf maad fat.
18A wrathful man reisith chidyngis; he that is pacient, swagith chidyngis reisid.
19The weie of slow men is an hegge of thornes; the weie of iust men is with out hirtyng.
20A wise sone makith glad the fadir; and a fonned man dispisith his modir.
21Foli is ioye to a fool; and a prudent man schal dresse hise steppis.
22Thouytis ben distried, where no counsel is; but where many counseleris ben, tho ben confermyd.
23A man is glad in the sentence of his mouth; and a couenable word is best.
24The path of lijf is on a lernyd man; that he bowe awei fro the laste helle.
25The Lord schal distrie the hows of proude men; and he schal make stidefast the coostis of a widewe.
26Iuele thouytis is abhomynacioun of the Lord; and a cleene word moost fair schal be maad stidfast of hym.
27He that sueth aueryce, disturblith his hous; but he that hatith yiftis schal lyue. Synnes ben purgid bi merci and feith; ech man bowith awei fro yuel bi the drede of the Lord.
28The soule of a iust man bithenkith obedience; the mouth of wickid men is ful of yuelis.
29The Lord is fer fro wickid men; and he schal here the preyers of iust men.
30The liyt of iyen makith glad the soule; good fame makith fat the boonys.
31The eere that herith the blamyngis of lijf, schal dwelle in the myddis of wise men.
32He that castith awei chastisyng, dispisith his soule; but he that assentith to blamyngis, is pesible holdere of the herte.
33The drede of the Lord is teching of wisdom; and mekenesse goith bifore glorie.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version in Proverbs 15
Wycliffe Bible (1395) (Wycliffe)
The first complete English translation of the Bible (1395) by John Wycliffe and his followers. Translated from the Latin Vulgate. A landmark in English history and the Reformation.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 15:16
"Betere is a litil with the drede of the Lord, than many tresouris and vnfillable."
"Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith."
