Proverbs 15

1 ¹A soft answer turns away wrath, but ²a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but ³the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 ⁴The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 ⁵A gentle^[a] tongue is ⁶a tree of life, but ⁷perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 ⁸A fool ⁹despises his father's instruction, but ¹⁰whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 ¹¹The lips of the wise spread knowledge; ¹²not so the hearts of fools.^[b]

8 ¹³The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but ¹⁴the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him ¹⁵who pursues righteousness.

10 There is ¹⁶severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; ¹⁷whoever hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more ¹⁸the hearts of the children of man!

12 ¹⁹A scoffer ²⁰does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

13 ²¹A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by ²²sorrow of heart the spirit is ²³crushed.

14 ²⁴The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but ²⁵the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 ²⁶Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 ²⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than ²⁸a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18 ²⁹A hot-tempered man ³⁰stirs up strife, but he who is ³¹slow to anger quiets contention.

19 The way of ³²a sluggard is like a hedge of ³³thorns, but the path of the upright is ³⁴a level highway.

20 ³⁵A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 ³⁶Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding ³⁷walks straight ahead.

22 ³⁸Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and ³⁹a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward ⁴⁰for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

25 The LORD tears down the house of ⁴¹the proud but ⁴²maintains ⁴³the widow's boundaries.

26 ⁴⁴The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but ⁴⁵gracious words are pure.

27 Whoever is ⁴⁶greedy for unjust gain ⁴⁷troubles his own household, but he who hates ⁴⁸bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ⁴⁹ponders how to answer, but ⁵⁰the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The LORD is ⁵¹far from the wicked, but he ⁵²hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 ⁵³The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and ⁵⁴good news refreshes^[c] the bones.

31 ⁵⁵The ear that listens to ⁵⁶life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32 Whoever ⁵⁷ignores instruction ⁵⁸despises himself, but he who listens to reproof ⁵⁹gains intelligence.

33 ⁶⁰The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and ⁶¹humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

Verse 1 A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words. Verse 2 . He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others. Verse 3 . Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. Verse 4 . A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance. Verse 5 . If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin. Verse 6 . The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing. Verse 7 . We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to ( proverbs 15:8-9 ) stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased. Verse 10 . He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them. Verse 11 . There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts. Verse 12 . A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart. Verse 13 . A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others. Verse 14 . A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself. Verse 15 . Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling. ( proverbs 15:16-17 ) little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked. Verse 18 . He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled. Verse 19 . Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty. Verse 20 . Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly. Verse 21 . Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy. Verse 22 . If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass. Verse 23 . Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions. Verse 24 . A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither. Verse 25 . Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support. Verse 26 . The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart. Verse 27 . The covetous man lets none of his family have rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain often tempts to projects that bring ruin. Verse 28 . A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well. Verse 29 . God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance. Verse 30 . How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ! Verse 31 . Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life. Verse 32 . Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body. Verse 33 . The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 25:15]; See Judges 8:1-3
• 2. See 1 Samuel 25:10-13; 1 Kings 12:13-16
• 3. [ver. 28; Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 18:2]
• 4. See Job 31:4
• 5. [Proverbs 12:18]
• 6. See Proverbs 3:18
• 7. Proverbs 11:3
• 8. [Proverbs 10:1]
• 9. [Psalms 107:11]
• 10. [Proverbs 13:18]
• 11. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
• 12. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
• 13. Proverbs 21:27; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Isaiah 1:11, 15
• 14. [ver. 29]
• 15. Proverbs 21:21; 1 Timothy 6:11; [Proverbs 11:19]
• 16. [Isaiah 1:5]
• 17. See Proverbs 12:1
• 18. 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalms 44:21; John 2:24; See 1 Samuel 16:7
• 19. See Psalms 1:1
• 20. Amos 5:10
• 21. [ver. 15; Proverbs 17:22]
• 22. See Proverbs 12:25
• 23. Proverbs 18:14
• 24. Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 19:24
• 25. ver. 13
• 26. Proverbs 16:8; Psalms 37:16; [1 Timothy 6:6]
• 27. Proverbs 17:1
• 28. [Matthew 22:4; Luke 15:23]
• 29. Proverbs 29:22; [Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 26:21]
• 30. Proverbs 28:25
• 31. See Proverbs 14:29
• 32. Proverbs 19:24; Proverbs 22:13
• 33. Proverbs 22:5
• 34. Jeremiah 18:15
• 35. See Proverbs 29:3
• 36. Proverbs 10:23
• 37. [Ephesians 5:15]
• 38. Proverbs 11:14; [Proverbs 20:18]
• 39. Proverbs 25:11; [Isaiah 50:4]
• 40. Colossians 3:1, 2; [Proverbs 2:18, 19; Philippians 3:20]
• 41. [Proverbs 29:23]
• 42. [Proverbs 23:10]
• 43. [Psalms 68:5; Psalms 146:9]
• 44. Proverbs 6:16, 18
• 45. Proverbs 16:24
• 46. Proverbs 1:19; [Isaiah 5:8; Jeremiah 17:11]
• 47. Proverbs 11:29; [Joshua 7:25]
• 48. Proverbs 17:23
• 49. Psalms 37:30
• 50. [1 Peter 3:15]; See ver. 2
• 51. [Psalms 18:41; Psalms 34:16]
• 52. Psalms 145:18, 19; [ver. 8]
• 53. Psalms 38:10
• 54. [Proverbs 25:25]
• 55. ver. 5; Proverbs 20:12; Proverbs 25:12
• 56. [Proverbs 6:23]
• 57. [Proverbs 8:33]
• 58. See Proverbs 8:36
• 59. [Proverbs 19:8]
• 60. See Proverbs 1:7
• 61. Proverbs 18:12

Footnotes

• [a]. Or healing
• [b]. Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
• [c]. Hebrew makes fat

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.