Proverbs 15

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Proverbs 15 presents a collection of contrasting statements regarding human behavior, speech, and moral choices. The text contrasts the actions and outcomes of the wise, the righteous, and those who accept discipline with those of fools, the wicked, and mockers. It frequently mentions the LORD observing human actions, evaluating sacrifices, prayers, thoughts, and words, and responding differently to the wicked and the upright. Throughout the chapter, various comparisons are made concerning speech, emotional states, family relationships, wealth, and the consequences of heeding or rejecting correction and counsel.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ²The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. ³The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. ⁴A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. ⁵A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. ⁶The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. ⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. ⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. ⁹The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. ¹⁰Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. ¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! ¹²A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. ¹³A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. ¹⁴A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. ¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. ¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. ¹⁷Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. ¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. ¹⁹The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. ²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. ²²Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ²³A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word! ²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. ²⁵The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow. ²⁶The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. ²⁷He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. ²⁸The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. ²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. ³¹He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. ³²He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. ³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.