Proverbs 15NKJV
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Proverbs15

New King James Version

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

2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

10Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

11Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.

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

21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.

31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

33The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 15.

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v1

A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.

v2

He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.

v3

Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.

Cross References

Proverbs 15
v18Proverbs 16:32thematic

Direct parallel contrasting the wrathful man with one who is slow to anger.

Supported by JFB

Historical illustration of Abigail's soft answer turning away David's fierce wrath.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v11Job 26:6thematic

Verbal parallel showing Sheol/destruction (Abaddon) are naked and open before the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v13Proverbs 17:22thematic

Direct parallel on the physical and spiritual impact of a merry heart versus a broken spirit.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v24Colossians 3:2thematic

Echoes the directive to set affections on things above rather than things beneath.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v4Proverbs 3:18thematic

Parallels the concept of wisdom and a wholesome tongue as a 'tree of life'.

Supported by JFB

v8Isaiah 1:11thematic

Prophetic parallel on God's abomination of external sacrifices devoid of internal righteousness.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v11Hebrews 4:13thematic

New Testament parallel affirming all things are naked and opened to the eyes of God.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v12John 3:20thematic

Theological parallel of the scorner who hates reproof and refuses to come to the light.

Supported by JFB

v161 Timothy 6:6thematic

New Testament equivalent: godliness with contentment is great gain, matching 'better is little'.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v20Proverbs 10:1thematic

Identical proverb framing the contrast between a wise son and a foolish son.

Supported by JFB

v7Proverbs 10:21thematic

Echoes how the lips of the righteous feed and disperse knowledge to many.

Supported by JFB

v17Proverbs 17:1thematic

Direct parallel on preferring a dry morsel in quietness over a house full of strife.

Supported by JFB

v25Proverbs 12:7thematic

Parallels God's destruction of the wicked's house versus establishing the righteous.

Supported by JFB

v27Proverbs 11:29thematic

Parallels the warning that he who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.

Supported by Matthew Henry