1 A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
3 In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.
4 A healed tongue `is' a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
6 `In' the house of the righteous `is' abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools `is' not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked `is' an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright `is' His delight.
9 An abomination to Jehovah `is' the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.
10 Chastisement `is' grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.
11 Sheol and destruction `are' before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.
13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted `are' evil, And gladness of heart `is' a perpetual banquet.
16 Better `is' a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 Better `is' an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful `is' as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth `his' going.
22 Without counsel `is' the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23 Joy `is' to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!
24 A path of life `is' on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
25 The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.
26 An abomination to Jehovah `are' thoughts of wickedness, And pure `are' sayings of pleasantness.
27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.
28 The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.
29 Far `is' Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.
31 An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.
32 Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah `is' the instruction of wisdom, And before honour `is' humility!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 15
Commentary on Proverbs 15 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 15
Pro 15:1
Solomon, as conservator of the public peace, here tells us,
Pro 15:2
Note,
Pro 15:3
The great truths of divinity are of great use to enforce the precepts of morality, and none more than this-That the eye of God is always upon the children of men.
Pro 15:4
Note,
Pro 15:5
Hence,
Pro 15:6
Note,
Pro 15:7
This is to the same purport with v. 2, and shows what a blessing a wise man is and what a burden a fool is to those about him. Only here observe further,
Pro 15:8
Note,
Pro 15:9
This is a reason of what was said in the foregoing verse.
Pro 15:10
This shows that those who cannot bear to be corrected must expect to be destroyed.
Pro 15:11
This confirms what was said (v. 3) concerning God's omnipresence, in order to his judging of evil and good.
Pro 15:12
A scorner is one that not only makes a jest of God and religion, but bids defiance to the methods employed for his conviction and reformation, and, as an evidence of that,
Pro 15:13
Here,
Pro 15:14
Here are two things to be wondered at:-
Pro 15:15
See here what a great difference there is between the condition and temper of some and others of the children of men.
Pro 15:16-17
Solomon had said in the foregoing verse that he who has not a large estate, or a great income, but a cheerful spirit, has a continual feast; Christian contentment, and joy in God, make the life easy and pleasant; now here he tells us what is necessary to that cheerfulness of spirit which will furnish a man with a continual feast, though he has but little in the world-holiness and love.
Pro 15:18
Here is,
Pro 15:19
See here,
Pro 15:20
Observe here,
Pro 15:21
Note,
Pro 15:22
See here,
Pro 15:23
Note,
Pro 15:24
The way of wisdom and holiness is here recommended to us,
Pro 15:25
Note,
Pro 15:26
The former part of this verse speaks of thoughts, the latter of words, but they come all to one; for thoughts are words to God, and words are judged of by the thoughts from which they proceed, so that,
Pro 15:27
Note,
Pro 15:28
Here is,
Pro 15:29
Note,
Pro 15:30
Two things are here pronounced pleasant:-
Pro 15:31
Note,
Pro 15:32
See here,
Pro 15:33
See here how much it is our interest, as well as duty,