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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 15

Translation and Transliteration of 

1A gentle response allays wrath; A harsh word provokes anger.

ma-a-NEH-rakh ya-SHEEV khe-MAH u-d'-VAR-e-TSEV ya-a-LEH-af

אמַֽעֲנֶה־רַּ֭ךְ יָשִׁ֣יב חֵמָ֑ה וּדְבַר־עֶ֝֗צֶב יַעֲלֶה־אָֽף׃

2The tongue of the wise produces much knowledge, But the mouth of dullards pours out folly.

l'-SHON kha-KHA-meem tay-TEEV da-AT u-fee k'-see-LEEM ya-BEE-a ee-ve-LET

בלְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

3The eyes of Hashem are everywhere, Observing the bad and the good.

b'-KOL ma-KOM ay-NAY a-do-NAI tzo-FOT ra-IM v'-to-VEEM

גבְּֽכׇל־מָ֭קוֹם עֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה צֹ֝פ֗וֹת רָעִ֥ים וְטוֹבִֽים׃

4A healing tongue is a tree of life, But a devious one makes for a broken spirit.

mar-PE l'-SHON ETZ cha-YIM v'-SE-lef BAH she-VER b'-RU-ach

דמַרְפֵּ֣א לָ֭שׁוֹן עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים וְסֶ֥לֶף בָּ֝֗הּ שֶׁ֣בֶר בְּרֽוּחַ׃

5A fool spurns the discipline of his father, But one who heeds reproof becomes clever.

E-VIL yin-ATZ mu-SAR a-VEEV v'-sho-MAYR to-KHA-chat ya-a-RIM

האֱוִ֗יל יִ֭נְאַץ מוּסַ֣ר אָבִ֑יו וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר תּוֹכַ֣חַת יַעְרִֽים׃

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

BEIT TZA-DIK CHO-SEN RAV U-VI-tu-AT RA-SHA NE-a-KHA-ret

ובֵּ֣ית צַ֭דִּיק חֹ֣סֶן רָ֑ב וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃

7The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge; Not so the minds of dullards.

sif-TEI cha-KA-mim ye-ZA-ru da-AT ve-LEV ke-see-LIM lo-KHEN

זשִׂפְתֵ֣י חֲ֭כָמִים יְזָ֣רוּ דָ֑עַת וְלֵ֖ב כְּסִילִ֣ים לֹא־כֵֽן׃

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Hashem, But the prayer of the upright pleases Him.

ZEV-akh r'-sha-EEM to-a-VAT a-do-NAI u-t'-fi-LAT y'-sha-REEM r'-tzo-NO

חזֶ֣בַח רְ֭שָׁעִים תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וּתְפִלַּ֖ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Hashem, But He loves him who pursues righteousness.

TO-a-VAT a-do-NAI DE-rekh ra-SHA u-me-ra-DEF tze-da-KAH ye-e-HAV

טתּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה דֶּ֣רֶךְ רָשָׁ֑ע וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף צְדָקָ֣ה יֶאֱהָֽב׃

10Discipline seems bad to him who forsakes the way; He who spurns reproof will die.

MU-sar RA l'-o-ZAYV o-RACH so-NAY to-KHA-chat ya-MUT.

ימוּסָ֣ר רָ֭ע לְעֹזֵ֣ב אֹ֑רַח שׂוֹנֵ֖א תוֹכַ֣חַת יָמֽוּת׃

11Sheol and Abaddon lie exposed to Hashem, How much more the minds of men!

SH'OL va-a-va-DON NE-ged a-do-NAI, AF kee-li-BOT b'-NAY a-DAM

יאשְׁא֣וֹל וַ֭אֲבַדּוֹן נֶ֣גֶד יְהֹוָ֑ה אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לִבּ֥וֹת בְּֽנֵי־אָדָֽם׃

12The scoffer dislikes being reproved; He will not resort to the wise.

lo ye-e-HAV leitz ho-KHE-akh LO, el cha-KHA-meem lo ye-LEKH

יבלֹ֣א יֶאֱהַב־לֵ֭ץ הוֹכֵ֣חַֽ ל֑וֹ אֶל־חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים לֹ֣א יֵלֵֽךְ׃

13A joyful heart makes a cheerful face; A sad heart makes a despondent mood.

LEV sa-ME-akh yei-TIV pa-NIM u-ve-a-tze-VAT-LEV ru-ACH ne-KHE-a.

יגלֵ֣ב שָׂ֭מֵחַ יֵיטִ֣ב פָּנִ֑ים וּבְעַצְּבַת־לֵ֝֗ב ר֣וּחַ נְכֵאָֽה׃

14The mind of a prudent man seeks knowledge; The mouth of the dullard pursues folly.

LEV na-VON ye-va-KESH da-AT (u-fi) [u-FI] k'-si-LIM yir-EH i-VE-let

ידלֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת (ופני) [וּפִ֥י] כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

15All the days of a poor man are wretched, But contentment is a feast without end.

KOL y'-MAY a-NEE ra-EEM v'-TOV-layv mish-TEH ta-MEED

טוכׇּל־יְמֵ֣י עָנִ֣י רָעִ֑ים וְטֽוֹב־לֵ֝֗ב מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה תָמִֽיד׃

16Better a little with fear of Hashem Than great wealth with confusion.

tov m'-AT b'-yir-AT a-do-NAI may-o-TZAR RAV um-HU-mah VO

טזטוֹב־מְ֭עַט בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה מֵאוֹצָ֥ר רָ֝֗ב וּמְה֥וּמָה בֽוֹ׃

15:16   Better a little with fear of Hashem

Shlomo presents the reader an understanding of true value. It is better to have only a little, accompanied by faith in Hashem, than to have much wealth, but suffer from inner turmoil and doubt. This eternal truth is especially evident in today’s celebrity culture, where so many people who seem to have it all suffer publicly from depression and family instability. In contrast to the constant and empty pursuit of fame and fortune, King Shlomo teaches “better a little with fear of Hashem.

17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love Than a fattened ox where there is hate.

TOV a-ru-KHAT ya-RAK v'-a-ha-VA-sham mi-SHOR a-BOOS v'-sin-AH-bo

יזט֤וֹב אֲרֻחַ֣ת יָ֭רָק וְאַהֲבָה־שָׁ֑ם מִשּׁ֥וֹר אָ֝ב֗וּס וְשִׂנְאָה־בֽוֹ׃

18A hot-tempered man provokes a quarrel; A patient man calms strife.

eeSH khe-MAH ye-GA-reh ma-DON ve-ER-ekh a-PA-yim yash-KEET REEV

יחאִ֣ישׁ חֵ֭מָה יְגָרֶ֣ה מָד֑וֹן וְאֶ֥רֶךְ אַ֝פַּ֗יִם יַשְׁקִ֥יט רִֽיב׃

19The way of a lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is paved.

de-REKH a-TSEL k'-m'-SU-khat kha-DEK v'-o-RAKH y'-sha-REEM s'-lu-LAH

יטדֶּ֣רֶךְ עָ֭צֵל כִּמְשֻׂ֣כַת חָ֑דֶק וְאֹ֖רַח יְשָׁרִ֣ים סְלֻלָֽה׃

20A wise son makes his father happy; A fool of a man humiliates his mother.

ben cha-KHAM ye-SAM-ach av, u-k'-SEEL a-DAM bo-ZEH i-MO.

כבֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב וּכְסִ֥יל אָ֝דָ֗ם בּוֹזֶ֥ה אִמּֽוֹ׃

21Folly is joy to one devoid of sense; A prudent man walks a straight path.

ee-VE-let sim-KHA la-cha-SAR-LEV, v'-eesh te-vu-NA y'-ya-SHER-la-KHET

כאאִ֭וֶּלֶת שִׂמְחָ֣ה לַחֲסַר־לֵ֑ב וְאִ֥ישׁ תְּ֝בוּנָ֗ה יְיַשֶּׁר־לָֽכֶת׃

22Plans are foiled for want of counsel, But they succeed through many advisers.

ha-FER ma-ha-SHA-vot b'-EIN SOD u-ve-ROV yo-a-TZIM ta-KUM

כבהָפֵ֣ר מַ֭חֲשָׁבוֹת בְּאֵ֣ין ס֑וֹד וּבְרֹ֖ב יוֹעֲצִ֣ים תָּקֽוּם׃

23A ready response is a joy to a man, And how good is a word rightly timed!

SIM-khah la-EESH b'-ma-a-NEH-fi-V, v'-da-VAR b'-i-TO ma-TOV.

כגשִׂמְחָ֣ה לָ֭אִישׁ בְּמַעֲנֵה־פִ֑יו וְדָבָ֖ר בְּעִתּ֣וֹ מַה־טּֽוֹב׃

24For an intelligent man the path of life leads upward, In order to avoid Sheol below.

o-RACH cha-YEEM le-ma-A-lah le-ma-SKIL le-ma-AN suR mi-SHO-ol ma-TAH

כדאֹ֣רַח חַ֭יִּים לְמַ֣עְלָה לְמַשְׂכִּ֑יל לְמַ֥עַן ס֝֗וּר מִשְּׁא֥וֹל מָֽטָּה׃

25Hashem will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the homestead of the widow.

BEIT GEIM YI-SAkh a-do-NAI v'-ya-TZEIV g'-VUL al-ma-NAH

כהבֵּ֣ית גֵּ֭אִים יִסַּ֥ח ׀ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝יַצֵּ֗ב גְּב֣וּל אַלְמָנָֽה׃

26Evil thoughts are an abomination to Hashem, But pleasant words are pure.

TO-a-VAT a-do-NAI makh-SHE-vot RA, u-t'-ho-RIM im-ray-NO-am.

כותּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת רָ֑ע וּ֝טְהֹרִ֗ים אִמְרֵי־נֹֽעַם׃

27He who pursues ill-gotten gain makes trouble for his household; He who spurns gifts will live long.

o-KHER BEI-to BO-tse-a BA-tse-a v'-so-NAY ma-ta-NOT yikh-YE

כזעֹכֵ֣ר בֵּ֭יתוֹ בּוֹצֵ֣עַ בָּ֑צַע וְשׂוֹנֵ֖א מַתָּנֹ֣ת יִחְיֶֽה׃

28The heart of the righteous man rehearses his answer, But the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

LEV TZA-DIK ye-HE-GEH la-a-NOt u-FI re-sha-EEM ya-BEE-a ra-OT

כחלֵ֣ב צַ֭דִּיק יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לַעֲנ֑וֹת וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ רָעֽוֹת׃

29Hashem is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

ra-KHOK a-do-NAI me-RE-sha-EEM u-t'-fi-LAT tza-DEE-KEEM yish-MA

כטרָח֣וֹק יְ֭הֹוָה מֵרְשָׁעִ֑ים וּתְפִלַּ֖ת צַדִּיקִ֣ים יִשְׁמָֽע׃

30What brightens the eye gladdens the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

m'-OR-ei-NA-yim y'-sa-MAKH-layv, sh'-mu-AH to-VAH t'-da-SHEN-a-TSEM

למְֽאוֹר־עֵ֭ינַיִם יְשַׂמַּֽח־לֵ֑ב שְׁמוּעָ֥ה ט֝וֹבָ֗ה תְּדַשֶּׁן־עָֽצֶם׃

31He whose ear heeds the discipline of life Lodges among the wise.

o-ZEN sho-MA-at to-KHAT kha-YIM b'-KE-rev kha-KHA-meem ta-LEEN

לאאֹ֗זֶן שֹׁ֭מַעַת תּוֹכַ֣חַת חַיִּ֑ים בְּקֶ֖רֶב חֲכָמִ֣ים תָּלִֽין׃

32He who spurns discipline hates himself; He who heeds reproof gains understanding.

po-RE-a mu-SAR mo-Es naf-SHO v'-sho-ME-a to-KHA-chat KO-neh LEV

לבפּוֹרֵ֣עַ מ֭וּסָר מוֹאֵ֣ס נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וְשׁוֹמֵ֥עַ תּ֝וֹכַ֗חַת ק֣וֹנֶה לֵּֽב׃

33The fear of Hashem is the discipline of wisdom; Humility precedes honor.

YIR-at a-do-NAI mu-SAR kha-KH'-mah v'-lif-NAY ka-VOD a-na-VAH

לגיִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה מוּסַ֣ר חׇכְמָ֑ה וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָב֣וֹד עֲנָוָֽה׃