Proverbs15
New Living Translation
1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
11 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart!
12 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26 The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
27 Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Study
Proverbs 15Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 15. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
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