Proverbs 15)
1 A soft answer turns away wrath: (Illustrations: Aaron [Lev.10:16-20]; Reubenites [Josh. 22:15-34]; Gideon [Judg. 8:1-3. Prov. 15:18]; Hannah [1 Sam. 1:15,17]; Abigail [1 Sam. 25:23,&c.].)
But bitter (cutting, violent,&.) words stir up anger. Illustrations: the Ephraimites [Judg. 12:1-4]; men of Israel and Judah [2 Sam. 19:41-43. Prov. 30:33]; Saul and Jonathan [1 Sam. 20:30-34]; Rehoboam [2 Chron. 40:13-16. Prov. 26:21]; Eliphaz Job 22:5,&c.]; Paul [and Barnabas [Ats 15:39. Think before you speak. A wise answer filled with reason normally doesn't bring about anger. Bitter or violent words will usually cause anger and bring about a retort. This is particularly important, when you are planting seeds.).
2 The tongue of wise ones will use knowledge aright:
But the mouth of fools (= fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety) pour out foolishness (= lax or careless habit of mind and body).
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Taking note (or observing) evil ones and the good ones. (Illustrations: Adam [Gen. 3:8,9]; Hagar [Gen. 16:7,13]; Ethiopian [Acts 8:25]; Abraham [Gen. 22:11,15-18]; Jacob [Gen. 28:11-16; 46:1-4]; Joseph [Gen 39:21]; Achan [Josh. 7:10-18]; Solomon [2 Chron. 7:1-3,12-16]; David [Ps. 139:7-13]; Asa [2 Chron. 14:11,12]; Jehoshaphat [2 Chron. 18:31]; Ahab [1 Kings 22:34,35]; Kezekiah [2 Kings 20:5,13-18]; Manasseh [2 Chron. 33:12,13]; Ezekiel [Ezek. 3:22]; Nebuchadnezzar [Dan. 4;29,32]; Belchazzar [Dan. 5:5]; Jonah [Jonah 2:10]; Nethanael [John 1:48]; Stephen [Acts 7:55]; Peter [Acts 10:9-16]; Herod [Acts 12:23]; Lydia [Acts 16:13,14]; Paul [Acts 27:23,24. 2 Tim. 4:17]; the wedding guests [Matt. 22:11-13. 1 Cor. 11:28]. God keeps very good records in the book of life. He chastises the evil, and Father rewards the good.)
4 Gentleness tongue is a tree of life: (See Gen. 2:9; 3:22,24. Cp. Prov. 3:18. Ezek. 27:12. Rev. 22:2.)
But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction:
But he that regards reproof is prudent. (The Sept. adds" "In abounding righteousness is great strength, but the ungodly will perish root and branch.". It means to be of right mind to receive discipline and sound doctrine. Fools despise being sensible. Those who pay attention to and accept correction are prudent.)
6 In the house of a righteous one is much treasure (Heb. strength):
But in the revenues of a lawless one is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge:
But the heart of the foolish does not so. (If you listen to a wise person, you will gain knowledge; however, if you listen to a fool, you won't.)
8 The sacrifice of lawless ones is an abomination to the LORD: (Illustrations: Gain [Gen. 4;5. Heb. 11;4; Saul [1 Sam. 15:22,23].)
But the prayer of the upright ones is his delight. (Don't ever forget this verse, beloved. The prayers of the upright delight your Father.)
9 The way of lawless ones is an abomination to the LORD:
But He loves him that follows after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous to him that forsakes the way: (Illustrations: Asa [2 Chron. 16:10]; Kenites [John 7:7; 8:23,40].)
And he that hates reproof shall die. (If you have the right mind set, common sense is easy to obtain. God's Word is packed with common sense. Do things God's way and have true peace of mind and eternal life)
11 The grave and destruction are before the LORD:
How much more then the hearts of the sons of men?
12 A scorner loves not one that reproves him: (Illustrations; Ahab [2 Chron. 18:7. Prov. 17:4]; Pharisees [Luke 7:30]; cp. Matt. 3:7. Prov. 12:1.)
Neither will he go to the wise.
13 A joyful (or glad) heart makes a cheerful countenance:
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeks knowledge: (Illustrations; Solomon [1 Hings 3:5-10. Prov. 19:8]; Queen of Sheba [1 Kings 10. Matt. 12:42]; Mary [Luke 10:39]; Nicodemus [John 3:1,2]; the Ethiopian [Acts 8:28]; the Bereans [Acts 17:11].)
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are sad:
But he that is of a good heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the reverence of the LORD (Illustrations: the shepherds [Luke 2:20. Cp. Matt. 2:3]; Paul in prison [Phil. 4:11,13,18. 1 Tim. 6:6]. Contrast Ahab in palace [1 Kings 21:4]. Yahaveh is a substitute for every good thing, but nothing is a substitute for Him.)
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife:
But he that is slow to anger appeases contention (or discord).
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns:
But the way of upright ones is a raised road. (Illustration: Eleazar [Gen. 24:12,26,27,52. Ps. 37:23].)
20 A wise son makes a glad father:
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom (Heb. "heart", put for knowledge it should posses.):
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed:
But in the multitude of counselors (true counselors) they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth:
And a word spoken in its season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is upward to a skillful one,
That he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud:
But He will establish the landmark of the widow.
26 The thoughts of an evil-doer are an abomination to the LORD:
But the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house;
But he that hates bribes shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer:
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from lawless ones:
But He hears the prayer of righteous ones.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart:
And a good report makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that hears the reproof leading to life
Abides among the wise.
32 He that refuses correction (or discipline) despises his own soul: (Illustrations: Dathan [Num. 16:12-14,31-33]; Zedekiah [2 Chron. 36:12; Jer. 39:1-7]; Nebuchadnezzar [Dan. 4:27-33]; Belshazzar [Dan. 5:22-30]; Kenites [Matt. 23:34-38]; Gadarenes [Luke 8:37].)
But he that hears reproof possesses a heart. ("Heart" put for "sense". Illustrations: Job's friends [[Job 42:7-9]; the woman [John 4:17,&c.]; 2 disciples [Luke 24:25-32]; Paul [Acts 9:6-22].)
33 The reverence of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor is humility. (Illustrations: Joseph [Gen. 41:16,39,40. Prov. 22:4]; Gideon [Judg. 6:15]; Hananiah [Neh. 7:2]; Daniel [Dan. 2:30-48] Centurion [Matt. 8:8,10]; Ephraim [Hos. 13:1]; John Baptist [John 1:15,30; 3:30].)