WEB

Proverbs 15

Compare: BSB WEB KJV ASV

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth 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.

Commentary Insights

Study and Reflection

Explore devotional and study commentary connected to this passage.

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.

Proverbs 15:1 Verse 1

A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.

Proverbs 15:2 Verse 2

He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.

Proverbs 15:3 Verse 3

Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.

Proverbs 15:4 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.

Proverbs 15:5 Verse 5

If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.

Proverbs 15:6 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.

Proverbs 15:7 Verse 7

We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good.

Proverbs 15:8-9 Verses 8, 9

The wicked put other things in the 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.

Proverbs 15:10 Verse 10

He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.

Proverbs 15:11 Verse 11

There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts.

Proverbs 15:12 Verse 12

A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart.

Proverbs 15:13 Verse 13

A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.

Proverbs 15:14 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.

Proverbs 15:15 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 Verses 16, 17

Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.

Proverbs 15:18 Verse 18

He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled.

Proverbs 15:19 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.

Proverbs 15:20 Verse 20

Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly.

Proverbs 15:21 Verse 21

Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy.

Proverbs 15:22 Verse 22

If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass.

Proverbs 15:23 Verse 23

Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions.

Proverbs 15:24 Verse 24

A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither.

Proverbs 15:25 Verse 25

Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support.

Proverbs 15:26 Verse 26

The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart.

Proverbs 15:27 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.

Proverbs 15:28 Verse 28

A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well.

Proverbs 15:29 Verse 29

God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance.

Proverbs 15:30 Verse 30

How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Proverbs 15:31 Verse 31

Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life.

Proverbs 15:32 Verse 32

Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body.

Proverbs 15:33 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.

Study This Passage

Key Words and Topics

These study connections are drawn from the internal BSB concordance and topical index imported into Daily Bread Intake.

Related Topics

Abomination: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Proverbs 15:8, 9, 26

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. / The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. / The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

Abusive Husbands Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Abusive Parents Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Anger Management Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Anger: Be Slow To Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 15:1, 18

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. / A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Answers Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Apathy Proverbs 15:19

The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Arguing Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Arguments Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Being a Husband Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Being Angry Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Being Envious Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Being Greedy Proverbs 15:27

He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Being Mean Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Being Patient Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Being Upset Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Bickering Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Blaming Others Proverbs 15:13, 14

A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. / A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Select a topic to open the full topical search.

Bible Dictionary

Related Dictionary Terms

Explore people, places, themes, and biblical terms connected to this passage.