Proverbs 15:1-13

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction^[a] lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!

12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:1-13 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. 1 Kings 12:7; 2 Chronicles 10:7
• 2. Proverbs 25:15
• 3. ver 7; S Proverbs 10:31
• 4. S Psalms 59:7; Ecclesiastes 10:12; Proverbs 12:23
• 5. S 2 Chronicles 16:9
• 6. S Job 10:4; S Job 31:4; S Hebrews 4:13
• 7. S Job 34:21; Proverbs 5:21; Jeremiah 16:17
• 8. S Psalms 5:9
• 9. S Proverbs 10:11
• 10. Proverbs 12:18
• 11. S Proverbs 10:17; S Proverbs 12:1; S Proverbs 13:1
• 12. S Proverbs 8:21
• 13. S Proverbs 10:16
• 14. S ver 2; S Proverbs 10:13
• 15. S Psalms 51:17; S Isaiah 1:13
• 16. S Proverbs 6:16; Proverbs 21:27; Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 6:20
• 17. ver 29; Job 35:13; Proverbs 28:9; S John 9:31
• 18. S Proverbs 6:16
• 19. S Deuteronomy 7:13; S Proverbs 11:20; Proverbs 21:21; 1 Timothy 6:11
• 20. S Proverbs 1:31-32; Proverbs 5:12; S Proverbs 12:1
• 21. S Job 26:6; Psalms 139:8
• 22. S 1 Samuel 2:3; S 2 Chronicles 6:30; S Psalms 44:21; S Revelation 2:23
• 23. S Proverbs 9:8; S Proverbs 12:1; Amos 5:10
• 24. ver 15
• 25. S Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 17:22; Proverbs 18:14

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "Abaddon"