Proverbs 15

1 By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word is a cause of angry feelings.

2 Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.

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

4 A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.

5 A foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.

6 In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.

8 The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.

9 The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.

10 There is bitter punishment for him who is turned from the way; and death will be the fate of the hater of teaching.

11 Before the Lord are the underworld and destruction: how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men!

12 The hater of authority has no love for teaching: he will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of the man of good sense goes in search of knowledge, but foolish things are the food of the unwise.

15 All the days of the troubled are evil; but he whose heart is glad has an unending feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth together with trouble.

17 Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.

18 An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.

19 Thorns are round the way of the hater of work; but the road of the hard worker becomes a highway.

20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man has no respect for his mother.

21 Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.

22 Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.

23 A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!

24 Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld.

25 The house of the man of pride will be uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow.

26 Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.

27 He whose desires are fixed on profit is a cause of trouble to his family; but he who has no desire for offerings will have life.

28 The heart of the upright gives thought to his answer; but from the mouth of the evil-doer comes a stream of evil things.

29 The Lord is far from sinners, but his ear is open to the prayer of the upright.

30 The light of the eyes is a joy to the heart, and good news makes the bones fat.

31 The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the wise.

32 He who will not be controlled by training has no respect for his soul, but he who gives ear to teaching will get wisdom.

33 The fear of the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and a low opinion of oneself goes before honour.

PREVIOUS Proverbs 14 NEXT Proverbs 16

Images for Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

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 ( proverbs 15:8-9 ) 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. ( proverbs 15:16-17 ) 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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible