Proverbs 15

1 Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.

3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.

4 The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.

5 A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.

6 In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.

7 The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.

8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.

9 The ways of an ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.

10 The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.

11 Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?

12 An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.

13 When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, is sad.

14 An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

15 The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.

16 Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear .

17 Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.

18 A passionate man stirs up strife; but slow to anger appeases even a rising one. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs up.

19 The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.

20 A wise son gladdens father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.

21 The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.

22 They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

23 A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common .

24 The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.

25 The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.

26 An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.

27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.

29 God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.

30

31

32 He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.

33 The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. the healing of the tongue.
• [b]. Gr. spirit.
• [c]. Gr. with the roots wholly torn up.
• [d]. Gr. future.
• [e]. Or, obey.

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.