Proverbs 15:1
ContextNET © | 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 | |
NASB © | |
HEBREW | |
LXXM | |
NET © [draft] ITL | |
NET © | 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. |