Proverbs 15:21

21 The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.

Proverbs 15:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:21

Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom
Or "that wants a heart" F17, a wise and understanding one; by "folly" is meant sin, for all sin is folly; and that is very pleasing and joyous to a wicked he chooses it and delights in it; instead of being ashamed of it, and sorry for it, he glories in it, and makes his boast of it; and not only takes pleasure in committing it himself, but also in those that do it; see ( Proverbs 10:23 ) ; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly;
he who has his understanding enlightened by the Spirit of God; who has an understanding given him by the Son of God; who has a spiritual and experimental understanding of the Gospel, and the truths of it: he walks according to the rule of the divine word; he walks as he has Christ for an example, and by faith on him; and after the spirit, and not after the flesh: or "directs himself in walking" F18, his goings, as the Vulgate Latin version, according to the above rule, example, and guidance, by the assistance of the spirit and grace of God; otherwise it is not in man that walketh of himself to direct his steps, ( Jeremiah 10:23 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (bl roxl) "carenti corde", Montanus; "ei qui deficitur", Schultens.
F18 (tkl rvyy) "diriget seipsum ambulando", Montanus; "diriget ambulare, vel ad ambulandum", Vatablus; "diriget viam suam ad ambulandum", Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 15:21 In-Context

19 The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers; the diligent walk down a smooth road.
20 Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents.
21 The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.
22 Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.
23 Congenial conversation - what a pleasure! The right word at the right time - beautiful!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.