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Proverbs 15

1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3
The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8
The sacrifice made by 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 to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12
A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.
17
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24
The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25
The LORD will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28
The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32
He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter unfolds the moral and spiritual contrast between wisdom and folly, primarily through the lens of speech, heart orientation, and response to correction. Centered on the principle that the fear of the LORD is foundational to wisdom, it portrays the internal condition of the heart as manifest in words, actions, and relationships, showing how divine oversight governs human outcomes.

Flow.

  • Begins with the power of speech: gentle words defuse anger, while harsh or deceitful words provoke harm (vv. 1–4).
  • Highlights the importance of heeding correction, linking teachability to righteousness and life, while rejecting reproof leads to death (vv. 5, 10, 12, 31–32).
  • Emphasizes God’s omnipresent knowledge and moral judgment—His scrutiny of all hearts, His delight in the upright, and His rejection of wicked offerings (vv. 3, 8–9, 26, 29).
  • Culminates in the way of life: humility, self-restraint, wise counsel, and inner joy as marks of those who walk with God (vv. 15–19, 24, 33).

Connections.
Following chapter 14, which contrasts the wise and foolish in matters of conduct, integrity, and fear of the LORD, chapter 15 sharpens the focus on speech and receptivity to reproof as definitive indicators of one’s moral path. It deepens the theology of divine omniscience introduced earlier (e.g., 5:21; 12:15) and prepares for chapter 16, which further explores the sovereignty of God over human plans and the necessity of divine guidance (cf. WCF 3.2, 5.7; HC LD 9).

What it teaches.
True wisdom before God is marked by humility, teachability, and the disciplined use of speech. The heart’s condition determines whether words build up or destroy, and whether one accepts or resists correction. God sovereignly observes all things (WCF 3.1) and delights in the prayers and thoughts of the upright (WCF 6.2), while rejecting the offerings and ways of the wicked. The fear of the LORD—the beginning of wisdom (WCF 1.6)—produces humility that leads to life and honor, while pride and folly lead to destruction (; WCF 15.4). The inner life, especially of the heart and tongue, is under constant divine scrutiny and reveals one’s standing before Him (HC Q/A 113).

Apply.
When correction comes, receive it as a means the Lord uses to keep you on the path of life.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.