Proverbs 15:22-32

22 ¹Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and ²a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward ³for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

25 The LORD tears down the house of ⁴the proud but ⁵maintains ⁶the widow's boundaries.

26 ⁷The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but ⁸gracious words are pure.

27 Whoever is ⁹greedy for unjust gain ¹⁰troubles his own household, but he who hates ¹¹bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ¹²ponders how to answer, but ¹³the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The LORD is ¹⁴far from the wicked, but he ¹⁵hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 ¹⁶The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and ¹⁷good news refreshes^[a] the bones.

31 ¹⁸The ear that listens to ¹⁹life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32 Whoever ²⁰ignores instruction ²¹despises himself, but he who listens to reproof ²²gains intelligence.

Proverbs 15:22-32 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 11:14; [Proverbs 20:18]
• 2. Proverbs 25:11; [Isaiah 50:4]
• 3. Colossians 3:1, 2; [Proverbs 2:18, 19; Philippians 3:20]
• 4. [Proverbs 29:23]
• 5. [Proverbs 23:10]
• 6. [Psalms 68:5; Psalms 146:9]
• 7. Proverbs 6:16, 18
• 8. Proverbs 16:24
• 9. Proverbs 1:19; [Isaiah 5:8; Jeremiah 17:11]
• 10. Proverbs 11:29; [Joshua 7:25]
• 11. Proverbs 17:23
• 12. Psalms 37:30
• 13. [1 Peter 3:15]; See ver. 2
• 14. [Psalms 18:41; Psalms 34:16]
• 15. Psalms 145:18, 19; [ver. 8]
• 16. Psalms 38:10
• 17. [Proverbs 25:25]
• 18. ver. 5; Proverbs 20:12; Proverbs 25:12
• 19. [Proverbs 6:23]
• 20. [Proverbs 8:33]
• 21. See Proverbs 8:36
• 22. [Proverbs 19:8]

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew makes fat