Proverbs 15:7-17

7 The lips of the wise will spread knowledge, but the heart of fools, not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

9 An abomination of Yahweh is the way of the wicked, but he who pursues righteousness he will love.

10 Severe discipline [belongs] to him who forsakes the way; he who hates a rebuke will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon [are] before Yahweh, {how much more} the hearts of the children of men!

12 A scoffer does not like {his rebuke}; to the wise he will not go.

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.

Proverbs 15:7-17 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]. A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld
• [c]. Poetic synonym for "Sheol." Only mentioned in the ot in relation to Sheol, the grave, or death.
• [d]. Literally "more for"
• [e]. Literally "rebuke [belonging] to him"
• [f]. Or "mind"
• [g]. Literally "faces"
• [h]. Or "mind"
• [i]. Hebrew "he/it"
• [j]. Or "mind"
• [k]. Or "him"
• [l]. Hebrew "and"
• [m]. Or "him"