Proverbs 15:3-13

3 ¹The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 ²A gentle^[a] tongue is ³a tree of life, but ⁴perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 ⁵A fool ⁶despises his father's instruction, but ⁷whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 ⁸The lips of the wise spread knowledge; ⁹not so the hearts of fools.^[b]

8 ¹⁰The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but ¹¹the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him ¹²who pursues righteousness.

10 There is ¹³severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; ¹⁴whoever hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more ¹⁵the hearts of the children of man!

12 ¹⁶A scoffer ¹⁷does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

13 ¹⁸A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by ¹⁹sorrow of heart the spirit is ²⁰crushed.

Proverbs 15:3-13 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. See Job 31:4
• 2. [Proverbs 12:18]
• 3. See Proverbs 3:18
• 4. Proverbs 11:3
• 5. [Proverbs 10:1]
• 6. [Psalms 107:11]
• 7. [Proverbs 13:18]
• 8. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
• 9. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
• 10. Proverbs 21:27; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Isaiah 1:11, 15
• 11. [ver. 29]
• 12. Proverbs 21:21; 1 Timothy 6:11; [Proverbs 11:19]
• 13. [Isaiah 1:5]
• 14. See Proverbs 12:1
• 15. 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalms 44:21; John 2:24; See 1 Samuel 16:7
• 16. See Psalms 1:1
• 17. Amos 5:10
• 18. [ver. 15; Proverbs 17:22]
• 19. See Proverbs 12:25
• 20. Proverbs 18:14

Footnotes

• [a]. Or healing
• [b]. Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast