Proverbs 15

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 15

1¶ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4¶ A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

5¶ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6¶ In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7¶ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.

8¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

9¶ The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10¶ Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.

11¶ Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12¶ A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13¶ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14¶ The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15¶ All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.

16¶ Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18¶ A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19¶ The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.

20¶ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21¶ Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22¶ Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23¶ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!

24¶ The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26¶ The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words.

27¶ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28¶ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29¶ The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30¶ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.

31¶ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32¶ He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33¶ The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 15 emphasizes the profound impact of speech, contrasting soft answers that turn away wrath with grievous words that stir anger. It highlights the distinction between the wise, who use knowledge aright and seek understanding, and fools, who pour out foolishness and despise instruction. The chapter also asserts the LORD's omnipresence, beholding both good and evil, and His favor towards the righteous while abhorring the wicked.

Medium Summary

This chapter extensively details the power of the tongue, illustrating how wholesome words bring life, while perverseness breaks the spirit. It contrasts the wise, who disperse knowledge and regard reproof, with fools, who reject instruction and delight in folly. The LORD's watchful eyes are declared to be in every place, discerning all actions and thoughts. He finds the sacrifices and ways of the wicked an abomination, but delights in the prayer of the upright and loves those who pursue righteousness. The chapter also touches upon the state of the heart, noting that a merry heart brings a cheerful countenance and a continual feast, while sorrow breaks the spirit. Ultimately, it stresses the value of counsel and the fear of the LORD as the instruction of wisdom.

Long Summary

Proverbs 15 opens by establishing the critical role of speech, stating that a soft answer can turn away wrath, while harsh words provoke anger. It distinguishes between the wise, whose tongues use knowledge aright and whose lips disperse understanding, and fools, who pour out foolishness and despise their father's instruction. The omnipresence of the LORD is affirmed, as His eyes are declared to be in every place, observing both the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is likened to a tree of life, whereas perverseness in speech is a breach in the spirit. The chapter contrasts the outcomes for the righteous, who possess treasure and whose prayers delight the LORD, with the wicked, whose revenues bring trouble and whose sacrifices and ways are an abomination to Him. It warns that correction is grievous to those who forsake the way, and that scorning reproof leads to destruction. The state of one's heart is also explored, with a merry heart yielding a cheerful countenance and a continual feast, while sorrow breaks the spirit. The chapter further advises that little with the fear of the LORD is better than great treasure with trouble, and a simple meal with love surpasses a lavish one with hatred. It advocates for slowness to anger to appease strife, and emphasizes the importance of counsel for establishing purposes. The LORD is shown to be far from the wicked but hears the prayer of the righteous, ultimately destroying the proud while establishing the widow. The chapter concludes by reiterating that the fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and that humility precedes honour.

Core Concepts

  • The Power of SpeechThis chapter highlights how words can either soothe anger and bring life (soft answers, wholesome tongue) or stir up strife and break the spirit (grievous words, perverseness). The wise carefully consider their words, while fools pour out folly.
  • Wisdom and FollyWisdom is characterized by using knowledge aright, seeking understanding, and accepting reproof, leading to prudence and life. Folly, conversely, involves despising instruction, rejecting correction, and finding joy in foolishness, leading to destruction.
  • Divine Observation and JudgmentThe LORD's eyes are declared to be in every place, beholding both good and evil. He abhors the ways, sacrifices, and thoughts of the wicked but delights in the prayers and loves the path of the righteous.
  • The State of the HeartThe condition of one's heart significantly impacts well-being; a merry heart brings cheerfulness and a continual feast, while sorrow breaks the spirit. A heart of understanding seeks knowledge, contrasting with the foolish.
  • Value of Reproof and InstructionAccepting reproof and instruction is crucial for gaining understanding and prudence, leading to life. Conversely, despising instruction and hating correction is shown to lead to spiritual and physical death.
  • The Fear of the LORDThis concept is presented as the foundational instruction of wisdom, leading to a better life even with little, and is intrinsically linked with humility, which precedes honour.