Proverbs 15:13-33

13 A ¹joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is ²sad, the ³spirit is broken.

14 The ⁴mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 ⁵Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

17 ⁶Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a ⁷fattened ox served with hatred.

18 A ⁸hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the ⁹slow to anger ¹⁰calms a dispute.

19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A ¹¹wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man ¹²despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding ¹³walks straight.

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

23 A ¹⁴man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely ¹⁵word!

24 The ¹⁶path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

25 The LORD will ¹⁷tear down the house of the proud, But He will ¹⁸establish the boundary of the ¹⁹widow.

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

27 He who ²⁰profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who ²¹hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ²²ponders how to answer, But the ²³mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The LORD is ²⁴far from the wicked, But He ²⁵hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

32 He who ²⁶neglects discipline ²⁷despises himself, But he who ²⁸listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

Proverbs 15:13-33 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 17:22
• 2. Proverbs 12:25
• 3. Proverbs 17:22; Proverbs 18:14
• 4. Proverbs 18:15
• 5. Psalms 37:16; Proverbs 16:8; Ecclesiastes 4:6; 1 Timothy 6:6
• 6. Proverbs 17:1
• 7. Matthew 22:4; Luke 15:23
• 8. Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 26:21; Proverbs 29:22
• 9. Proverbs 14:29
• 10. Genesis 13:8; Proverbs 16:14; Ecclesiastes 10:4
• 11. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 29:3
• 12. Proverbs 30:17
• 13. Proverbs 14:8; Ephesians 5:15
• 14. Proverbs 12:14
• 15. Proverbs 25:11; Isaiah 50:4
• 16. Proverbs 4:18
• 17. Proverbs 12:7; Proverbs 14:11
• 18. Deuteronomy 19:14; Proverbs 23:10
• 19. Psalms 68:5; Psalms 146:9
• 20. Proverbs 1:19; Proverbs 28:25; 1 Timothy 6:10
• 21. Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; 1 Samuel 12:3; Isaiah 33:15
• 22. 1 Peter 3:15
• 23. Proverbs 10:32; Proverbs 15:2
• 24. Psalms 18:41; Proverbs 1:28
• 25. Psalms 145:18, 19
• 26. Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:33
• 27. Proverbs 8:36
• 28. Proverbs 15:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "good"
• [b]. Lit "in sadness of heart"
• [c]. Lit "good"
• [d]. Or "reverence"
• [e]. Or "portion"
• [f]. Or "herbs"
• [g]. Lit "heart"
• [h]. Or "are established"
• [i]. Lit "answer of his mouth"
• [j]. I.e. the nether world
• [k]. Lit "The light of the eyes gladdens"
• [l]. Lit "heart"
• [m]. Or "reverence"