Proverbs15
King James Version · Public Domain
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of 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 unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
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