Proverbs 15:13-23

13 A heart of gladness will make good {countenance}, but in sorrow of heart a spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge, but the faces of fools, they will feed on folly.

15 All the days of the poor [are] hard, but goodness of heart [is] a continuous feast.

16 Better [is] little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 Better [is] a dinner of vegetables when love [is] there than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18 A man who is hot-tempered will stir up strife, but he who is slow [to] {anger}, he will calm contention.

19 The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright [is] a highway.

20 A child of wisdom will make a father glad, but a {foolish person}, he despises his mother.

21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks {sense}, and a person of understanding {will walk upright}.

22 Plans go wrong when there is no counsel, but with many advisors it will succeed.

23 Joy [belongs] to a man with answers in his mouth, and a word in its time, how good [it is]!

Proverbs 15:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "mind"
• [b]. Literally "faces"
• [c]. Or "mind"
• [d]. Hebrew "he/it"
• [e]. Or "mind"
• [f]. Or "him"
• [g]. Hebrew "and"
• [h]. Or "him"
• [i]. Literally "nostrils"
• [j]. Hebrew "thorn"
• [k]. Literally "foolishness of humankind"
• [l]. Literally "heart"
• [m]. Literally "he will walk upright walking"