Proverbs 15:1

NETBible

A gentle response 1  turns away anger, but a harsh word 2  stirs up wrath. 3 

NIV ©

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

NASB ©

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

NLT ©

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

MSG ©

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

BBE ©

By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.

NRSV ©

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

NKJV ©

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

KJV
A soft
<07390>
answer
<04617>
turneth
<07725> (8686)
away wrath
<02534>_:
but grievous
<06089>
words
<01697>
stir up
<05927> (8686)
anger
<0639>_.
NASB ©
A gentle
<7390>
answer
<4617>
turns
<7725>
away
<7725>
wrath
<2534>
, But a harsh
<6089>
word
<1697>
stirs
<5927>
up anger
<639>
.
LXXM
orgh
<3709> 
N-NSF
apollusin {V-PAI-3S} kai
<2532> 
CONJ
fronimouv
<5429> 
A-APM
apokrisiv
<612> 
N-NSF
de
<1161> 
PRT
upopiptousa {V-PAPNS} apostrefei
<654> 
V-PAI-3S
yumon
<2372> 
N-ASM
logov
<3056> 
N-NSM
de
<1161> 
PRT
luphrov {A-NSM} egeirei
<1453> 
V-PAI-3S
orgav
<3709> 
N-APF
NET [draft] ITL
A gentle
<07390>
response
<04617>
turns
<07725>
away anger
<02534>
, but a harsh
<06089>
word
<01697>
stirs up
<05927>
wrath
<0639>
.
HEBREW
Pa
<0639>
hley
<05927>
bue
<06089>
rbdw
<01697>
hmx
<02534>
bysy
<07725>
Kr
<07390>
hnem (15:1)
<04617>
NETBible

A gentle response 1  turns away anger, but a harsh word 2  stirs up wrath. 3 

NET Notes

1 tn Heb “soft answer.” The adjective רַּךְ (rakh, “soft; tender; gentle”; BDB 940 s.v.) is more than a mild response; it is conciliatory, an answer that restores good temper and reasonableness (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 477). Gideon illustrates this kind of answer (Judg 8:1-3) that brings peace.

2 tn Heb “word of harshness”; KJV “grievous words.” The noun עֶצֶב (’etsev, “pain, hurt”) functions as an attributive genitive. The term עֶצֶב refers to something that causes pain (BDB 780 s.v. I עֶצֶב). For example, Jephthah’s harsh answer led to war (Judg 12:1-6).

3 tn Heb “raises anger.” A common response to painful words is to let one’s temper flare up.