Proverbs 13:15

15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

Proverbs 13:15 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.
The Message Bible (MSG)
15 Sound thinking makes for gracious living, but liars walk a rough road.
American Standard Version (ASV)
15 Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
15 Good sense brings favor, but the way of treacherous people is always the same.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous never changes.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
15 Good understanding wins favor. But the way of liars doesn't last.

Proverbs 13:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 13:15

Good understanding giveth favour
A good understanding in things natural and civil gives favour among men; and so a good understanding in divine and spiritual things gives a man favour among religious people, makes him taken notice of by them, and acceptable to them: and such an understanding no man has, unless it be given him; and such appear to have one that do the commandments of God, ( Psalms 111:10 ) . The Israelites, for having and keeping the statutes of the Lord, were accounted by others a wise and an understanding people; and Christ, as man, when he increased in wisdom, grew in favour with God and men. It may be rendered, "good doctrine", as the Vulgate Latin version, or "right doctrine", as the Arabic version, "gives grace" F15; is the means of conveying grace into the hearts of men, and of increasing it. What if it should be rendered, "grace gives a good understanding" F16? since it is certain, that an understanding to know God and Christ is a gift of grace, ( 1 John 5:20 ) ; but the way of transgressors [is] hard;
ungrateful and unpleasant to themselves and others; it is a rough and rugged way, in which they stumble and fall; and cannot walk with pleasure themselves, when their consciences are awakened, and they are loaded with guilt, and filled with terror; and must be very disagreeable to those who have seen the evil of them.


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (Nx) "gratiam", Pagninus, Montanus. Vatablus. Mercerus. Drusius, Michaelis, Schultens.
F16 "Successum bonum dat gratia", Junius & Tremellius.

Proverbs 13:15 In-Context

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
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