1 A gentle answer turns away anger, r
but a harsh word stirs up wrath. s
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. t
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good. u
4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life, v
but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible. w
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, x
but the prayer of the upright is his delight. y
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness. z
10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD a—
how much more, human hearts. b
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him; c
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. d
14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge, e
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. f
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure with turmoil. g
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox h with hatred. i
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, j
but one slow to anger k calms strife.
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway. l
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother. m
21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a person with understanding walks a straight path. n
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed. o
23 A person takes joy in giving an answer;
and a timely word—how good that is! p
24 For the prudent the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The LORD tears apart the house of the proud,
but he protects the widow’s territory. q
26 The LORD detests the plans of the one who is evil,
but pleasant words are pure. r
27 The one who profits dishonestly s troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live. t
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, u
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things. v
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, w
but he hears the prayer of the righteous. x
30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens the bones. y
31 One who listens to life-giving rebukes z
will be at home among the wise.
32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, a
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. ,b
33 The fear of the LORD is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor. c
15:1–4. The covenantal name Yahweh (“the LORD”) occurs nine times in chapter 15 (and also in chap. 3), giving this instruction a more explicitly theological tone. Verses 1–4 focus on speech, with 15:1 taking up the motif of (the king’s) anger from 14:35. It notes that a gentle answer can roll back the waves of anger, while a painful word further stirs it up. Proverbs 15:3 reminds us that this cause-effect nexus is not mechanistic but rather is upheld by an ever-observant God. Proverbs 15:4 corresponds to verse 1, contrasting the soothing and spirit-crushing power of the tongue, using the favored analogy of the life-giving tree (cf. 3:18; 11:30; 13:12).
15:5–12. Mention of individuals who reject correction (i.e., fools and mockers) brackets the next section (15:5, 12), giving it a focus on the benefits of instruction. Great treasures as well as great knowledge are available to those who will heed it (15:6–7). More important, one living a righteous life experiences God’s favor and love (15:8–9) rather than animosity leading to divine discipline or death, as God punishes wayward actions and attitudes (15:10–11).
15:13–18. The reference to the human heart in 15:7b and 11b is taken up in 15:13–15, which juxtaposes the value of a joyful/cheerful heart with that of a discerning one and contrasts two metaphorical menus (15:14b, 15b). Verse 14b also parallels verse 2b, illustrating the saying “Garbage in, garbage out.” Two “better than” proverbs (15:16–17) take up the meal imagery as well as the heart attitudes of the preceding verses (discernment [15:14] ← fear of the Lord [15:16]; joy [15:15] ← love [15:17]), debunking society’s elevation of wealth and plenty. One’s heart attitude is more important than one’s circumstances. Proverbs 15:18 concludes the unit by suggesting one source of turmoil and animosity—a hot-headed individual.
15:19–23. By contrasting the sluggard’s thorn-impeded path with the superhighway of upright people, 15:19 identifies laziness as a moral issue. Verbal links connect the following verses. Only a discerning individual walks a straight path (15:21b). A father finds joy in a wise son (15:20; cf. 10:1); one lacking sense, in folly (15:21); and an audience, in an apt answer (15:23; cf. 15:1). Proverbs 15:22–23 highlights two important features of wise counsel: more is better, and timing is everything (Ec 10:11).
15:24–29. This section contrasts five actions, individuals, and consequences, three of which explicitly mention God: the way of the prudent leading upward to life (15:24), the attitude of the proud causing God to bring down their house (15:25), the plans of the wicked provoking God’s displeasure (15:26), the deeds of one who pursues illicit gain troubling their family (15:27; cf. Jos 6:18; 7:25), and the careful words of the righteous being heard by God (15:28–29). The righteous reflect before replying (15:28a; cf. 15:23); the wicked blurt out evil (15:28b; cf. 15:2b). Therefore, the Lord distances himself from the wicked while hearing the prayer of the righteous (15:29; cf. 15:8).
15:30–33. This major section, chapters 10–15, concludes with 15:30–33. Proverbs 15:31–32 uses a form of the word “listens.” Although hearing good news can cheer and refresh the “heart” (15:30), heeding correction can preserve life, give one a home among the wise, and impart sound judgment. Such receptivity to wisdom’s instruction is rooted in the fear of the Lord, which teaches one that humility always precedes honor (15:33).