Proverbs15
New Living Translation
1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
8The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
11Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart!
12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
25The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
27Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 15.
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.
Key Words
רַךְ: tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak
מַעֲנֶה: a reply (favorable or contradictory)
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
חֵמָה: heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
עֶצֶב: an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind)
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עָלָה: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אַף: properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
לָשׁוֹן: the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
חָכָם: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
Cross References
Proverbs 15Direct 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
Verbal parallel showing Sheol/destruction (Abaddon) are naked and open before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel on the physical and spiritual impact of a merry heart versus a broken spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Echoes the directive to set affections on things above rather than things beneath.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels the concept of wisdom and a wholesome tongue as a 'tree of life'.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic parallel on God's abomination of external sacrifices devoid of internal righteousness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
New Testament parallel affirming all things are naked and opened to the eyes of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Theological parallel of the scorner who hates reproof and refuses to come to the light.
Supported by JFB
New Testament equivalent: godliness with contentment is great gain, matching 'better is little'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identical proverb framing the contrast between a wise son and a foolish son.
Supported by JFB
Echoes how the lips of the righteous feed and disperse knowledge to many.
Supported by JFB
Direct parallel on preferring a dry morsel in quietness over a house full of strife.
Supported by JFB
Parallels God's destruction of the wicked's house versus establishing the righteous.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the warning that he who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
Supported by Matthew Henry