Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

Proverbs 15

World English Bible

WEB

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly. 3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. 5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools. 8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness. 10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die. 11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! 12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit. 14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. 16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. 17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. 18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife. 19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway. 20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. 22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. 23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! 24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. 25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact. 26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. 27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil. 29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. 31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. 32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. 33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Proverbs Chapter 15 presents a rich tapestry of wisdom that contrasts the ways of the righteous with the ways of the wicked. The chapter begins with the powerful statement that a gentle answer turns away wrath, while a harsh word stirs up anger (#Proverbs 15:1). This highlights the importance of communication and the impact our words can have on relationships. The wise are depicted as those who seek knowledge, while fools despise instruction, emphasizing the value of humility and a teachable spirit (#Proverbs 15:2, 5). The chapter encourages us to pursue wisdom and understanding, which are essential for a life that honors God and fosters peace among others.

The chapter continues to explore the theme of divine oversight, stating that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, watching both the evil and the good (#Proverbs 15:3). This serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His ultimate authority over all actions. Additionally, the text contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, affirming that the Lord delights in the prayers of the upright (#Proverbs 15:8) and that the path of the wicked leads to destruction (#Proverbs 15:9). The chapter concludes with a focus on the heart, stating that a cheerful heart is good medicine, while a crushed spirit dries up the bones (#Proverbs 15:13). This encapsulates the essence of living a life filled with joy and gratitude, which reflects our relationship with God and influences our well-being and that of those around us.

Study

13 of 14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. 1 Samuel 25:32-33v1David's response to Abigail's wise counsel in 1 Samuel 25:32-33 reflects the principle in Proverbs 15:1 about the power of a gentle answer to turn away wrath.
  2. 2 Chronicles 10:8v222 Chronicles 10:8 describes Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' counsel, which aligns with Proverbs 15:22's teaching on the importance of wise counsel.
  3. Psalms 37:16v16Psalm 37:16 highlights the value of a little with righteousness over great wealth with trouble, similar to Proverbs 15:16, which states that better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.
  4. Proverbs 11:14v22Proverbs 11:14 emphasizes the importance of guidance and counsel for success, a theme also found in Proverbs 15:22, which states that plans fail for lack of counsel but succeed with many advisers.
  5. Proverbs 13:1v5Both verses emphasize the importance of heeding parental instruction and the wisdom that comes from accepting correction.
  6. Ecclesiastes 5:1v8Ecclesiastes 5:1 advises carefulness in approaching God, emphasizing the importance of listening over offering sacrifices. Proverbs 15:8 reinforces this by stating that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights