Mishle 15

1 5 A soft answer turneth away chemah (wrath); but harsh devarim stir up anger.

2 The lashon of chachamim useth da’as aright, but the peh (mouth) of kesilim (fools) poureth out folly.

3 The eynayim of Hashem are in kol makom (every place), watching the ra’im and the tovim.

4 A marpeh lashon (a tongue of healing) is an Etz Chayyim, but selef (perversity) therein is crushing to the ruach (spirit).

5 A fool spurns his musar av, but he that is shomer over tokhakhat (reproof) is prudent.

6 In the bais of the tzaddik is much treasure, but in the revenues of the rashah is trouble.

7 The sfatayim (lips) of chachamim disperse da’as, but the lev of kesilim doeth not so.

8 The zevach of the resha’im is a to’evah to Hashem, but the tefillah (prayer) of the yesharim is His delight.

9 The derech rashah is a to’evah unto Hashem, but He loveth him that pursueth tzedakah.

10 Musar is grievous unto him that forsaketh the orach (way), and he that hateth tokhakhat (reproof) shall die.

11 Sheol and Avaddon are before Hashem, how much more then the hearts of Bnei Adam?

12 A scoffer loveth not one that correcteth him, neither will he go unto chachamim.

13 A lev same’ach maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the lev the ruach is broken.

14 The lev of him that hath understanding seeketh da’as, but the peh (mouth) of kesilim feedeth on folly.

15 All the days of the oni are ra’im, but he that is of a tov lev hath a mishteh tamid (a continual feast).

16 Better is little with the Yirat Hashem than otzar rav (great treasure) and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a meal of yarak (vegetables) where love is, than a fatted calf and sinah (hatred) therewith.

18 An ish chemah (angry man) stirreth up madon (strife), but he that is slow to anger pacifies a quarrel.

19 The derech (road) of the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) is a thorny hedge, but the orach yesharim (way of the upright) is a highway.

20 A ben chacham maketh glad an av, but a kesil adam despiseth immo.

21 Folly is simchah to him that is destitute of lev [of discernment], but an ish tevunah walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel, plans go amiss, but in the multitude of yo’atzim (counsellors) they are established.

23 An ish hath simchah in the apt reply of his peh (mouth), and a timely davar, mah tov (how good!)

24 The Orach Chayyim leads upward to the wise, in order that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

25 Hashem will destroy the bais of the proud, but he will maintain the boundary of the almanah.

26 The thoughts of the rah are a to’evah to Hashem, but the words of the tehorim (pure ones) are pleasant.

27 He that is greedy of unjust gain troubleth his own bais, but he that hateth mattanot (bribes) shall live.

28 The lev tzaddik studieth how to answer, but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im poureth out evil things.

29 Hashem is far from the resha’im, but He heareth the tefillah of the tzaddikim.

30 The ohr (light) of the eynayim rejoiceth the lev, and a good report giveth health to the etzem.

31 The ozen that heareth the tokhakhat chayyim (reproof of life) lodgeth among chachamim.

32 He that refuseth musar despiseth his own nefesh, but he that heareth tokhakhat (reproof) gaineth lev [of understanding].

33 The Yirat Hashem is the musar of chochmah; and before kavod (honor) is anavah (humility).

Mishle 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.

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.