Proverbs 15:23-33

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and ¹a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward ²for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

25 The LORD tears down the house of ³the proud but ⁴maintains ⁵the widow's boundaries.

26 ⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but ⁷gracious words are pure.

27 Whoever is ⁸greedy for unjust gain ⁹troubles his own household, but he who hates ¹⁰bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ¹¹ponders how to answer, but ¹²the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The LORD is ¹³far from the wicked, but he ¹⁴hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 ¹⁵The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and ¹⁶good news refreshes^[a] the bones.

31 ¹⁷The ear that listens to ¹⁸life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32 Whoever ¹⁹ignores instruction ²⁰despises himself, but he who listens to reproof ²¹gains intelligence.

33 ²²The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and ²³humility comes before honor.

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

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew makes fat