Proverbs 15:26

The Lord abhors ¹  the plans ²  of the wicked, ³  but pleasant words ⁴  are pure. ⁵ 

The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.

Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

The LORD despises the thoughts of the wicked, but he delights in pure words.

GOD can't stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.

Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.

Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.

The Lord abhors ¹  the plans ²  of the wicked, ³  but pleasant words ⁴  are pure. ⁵ 

¹ tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yÿhvah, “the Lord”) functions as a subjective genitive: “the Lord abhors.”

² tn The noun מַחְשְׁבוֹת (makhshÿvot) means “thoughts” (so KJV, NIV, NLT), from the verb חָשַׁב (khashav, “to think; to reckon; to devise”). So these are intentions, what is being planned (cf. NAB “schemes”).

³ tn The word רַע (“evil; wicked”) is a genitive of source or subjective genitive, meaning the plans that the wicked devise – “wicked plans.”

⁴ sn The contrast is between the “thoughts” and the “words.” The thoughts that are designed to hurt people the Lord hates; words that are pleasant (נֹעַם, no’am), however, are pure (to him). What is pleasant is delightful, lovely, enjoyable.

⁵ tc The MT simply has “but pleasant words are pure” (Heb “but pure [plural] are the words of pleasantness”). Some English versions add “to him” to make the connection to the first part (cf. NAB, NIV). The LXX has: “the sayings of the pure are held in honor.” The Vulgate has: “pure speech will be confirmed by him as very beautiful.” The NIV has paraphrased here: “but those of the pure are pleasing to him.”