Proverbs
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Proverbs 15
Proverbs 15
1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Commentary · verse 1
2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Commentary · verse 2
The wise spoke right WHAT's (at the least) while fools spoke liberally foolish words: words without understanding.
3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Commentary · verse 3
God saw all things. God knew all the good and evil that happened.
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father’s correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Commentary · verses 4-5
Another example of a fool being someone who did not consider correction.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Commentary · verses 6-8
Clearly, WHY and HOW we give a sacrifice to God is what is important to Him. If not, a sacrifice from the wicked would be acceptable to God.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Commentary · verse 9
Those who loved God lived by His Righteousness, by His grace: the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
10There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.
11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah; How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.
10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Commentary · verses 10-12
A scoffer, someone in pride, did not see being corrected as a value and therefore, they did not go to the wise.
13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Commentary · verses 13-14
Those who had understanding sought out knowledge. Fools lived by their folly, by their foolishness.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
16Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Commentary · verses 15-16
It was better to HAVE little and fear God than to HAVE a lot and not fear God.
17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Commentary · verses 17-18
Being slow to act on your anger would lead to appeasing the anger. An angry man would cause the anger to be increased. When was the last time you were angry? How did you handle that emotion?
19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.
20A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Commentary · verses 19-21
Foolishness was "joy" to those who had no wisdom while a man with understanding caused his path of life to be straight, he knew WHY he did what he did.
22Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Commentary · verse 22
Where there was no counsel (leadership), purposes were disappointed. "Disappointed" meant "to break, frustrate." Leadership was facilitating the purpose and progress of another person. When you had no counsel, leadership was hindered. When you had many counselors who were heard and respected, purposes were facilitated.
23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
24To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Commentary · verses 23-24
The wise saw life as going upward: growth.
25Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Commentary · verse 25
Proof that God couldn't make us be humble. We had to choose to consider we were wrong.
26Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant words are pure.
27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.
26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Commentary · verses 26-27
Making money or the physical a cause would lead to trouble for your house. Your actions affected others.
28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Commentary · verse 28
The heart of the righteous studied (meditated; rehearsed) the best response possible. The wicked poured out the evil things within them.
29Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And good tidings make the bones fat.
31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.
32He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Commentary · verses 29-32
Those who refused correction were in pride. They were unwilling to consider a perspective other than their own. Those who considered correction would gain understanding.
33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor goeth humility.
33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Commentary · verse 33
Those who want to be honored for the right reason were first humble.
Proverbs 13-15 covered proverbs that showed choosing to embrace correction and understanding led to the ability to manage destructive emotions. However, avoiding correction and focusing on the short term and physical led to destructive actions driven by emotion.
A "soft answer" was non-defensive and for the benefit of the hearer. "Grievous" words were meant to inflict pain.