Proverbs Chapter 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 The LORD's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD- how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow's borders intact.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honour is humility.
Footnotes
- Verse 11 (Sheol)
- Sheol is the place of the dead.
- Verse 24 (Sheol)
- Sheol is the place of the dead.
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Proverbs Chapter 15 Guide
Verse Proverbs 15:11. This is a simple method of drawing attention to God's perfect knowledge of all the deepest and hidden things. If that which is most full of mystery to us is perfectly known to Him, how well He must know our hearts.
Verse Proverbs 15:23. This proverb sets forth the satisfaction of being able to say the right thing at the right moment. The explanation of its first part is found in the phrase in the second, "in due season."
Verse Proverbs 15:24. A recognition of the two forces of which man is ever conscious the upward pull and the downward pull with a declaration that wisdom consists in answering the upward.
Verse Proverbs 15:27. The "gain" here referred to must mean a bribe. The meaning of the proverb then becomes perfectly plain.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Proverbs Chapter 15 Commentary
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 disperse that is good.
Verses 8, 9
The wicked put other things in the 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.
Verses 16, 17
Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see 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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.