The Book of Proverbs Chapter 15

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Let’s look at both statements in this Antithetic Parallelism:

A soft answer turneth away wrath: As Christians, we are instructed to handle

matters peaceably.

Romans If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
12:18
Romans Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for
12:19 it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in
12:20 so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Romans Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
12:21

But grievous words stir up anger. Nabal’s grievous words stired up anger in David,
but the soft answer of Nabal’s wife, Abigail, turned away David’s wrath in I Samuel
Chapter 25.

I Samuel And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the
25:10 son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man
from his master.
I Samuel Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for
25:11 my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
I Samuel So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told
25:12 him all those sayings.
I Samuel And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they
25:13 girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there
went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the
stuff.
I Samuel But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David
25:14 sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on
them.
I Samuel But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we
25:15 any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the
fields:
I Samuel They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with
25:16 them keeping the sheep.
I Samuel Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined
25:17 against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial,
that a man cannot speak to him.
I Samuel Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of
25:18 wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an
hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on
asses.

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools
poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good.

God is Omnipresent. He sees our good and our sins.

I Peter For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
3:12 prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Saul was not fooling anyone when he disguised himself to go and consult with a
witch:

I Samuel Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit,
28:7 that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold,
there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
I Samuel And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two
28:8 men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee,
divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name
unto thee.
Job I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
31:1
Job For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the
31:2 Almighty from on high?
Job Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of
31:3 iniquity?
Job Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
31:4
Hebrews For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
4:12 sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are
4:13 naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,
4:14 Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach
in the spirit.

Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is
prudent.

Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the
wicked is trouble.

God blesses the habitation of the just.

Proverbs Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
17:13

Our present day justice system rewards evil for good and punishes the innocent on
technicalities.

Proverbs To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
21:3

Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth
not so.

Ephesians Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is
4:29 good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Edifying ed·i·fy·ing

Function: Adjective

1: Enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement; “the

paintings in the church served an edifying purpose even for those who could not read”.
Function: transitive verb

1: archaic a: build b: establish

2: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : uplift; also :
enlighten, inform

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the
prayer of the upright is his delight.

Search your heart and make things right, before you sacrifice anything to the Lord:

Matthew But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause
5:22 shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother,
Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,
shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy
5:23 brother hath ought against thee;
Matthew Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy
5:24 brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Raca

Adjective

1. A term of reproach used by the Jews of our Savior’s time, meaning “worthless.”

“RACA” is a name that signifies or is derived from: “worthless”, “good-for-nothing”.

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth
him that followeth after righteousness.

Galatians Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
5:19 fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
5:20 heresies,
Galatians Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I
5:21 tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that
hateth reproof shall die.

We get our correction and reproof from the word of God and the Spirit of truth.
II Timothy All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
3:16 for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II Timothy That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
3:17 works.

Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: What is the way?

Acts But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship
24:14 I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in
the prophets:
Acts And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be
24:15 a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Jesus is the way:

John Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
14:6 the Father, but by me.
John If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth
14:7 ye know him, and have seen him.

The people who teach for doctrines the commandments of men, usually don’t like
scripture to interfere with their false teachings.

Mark He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites,
7:6 as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far
from me.
Mark Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments
7:7 of men.
Mark For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the
7:8 washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Paul had to remind the Galatians that they were set free with the message of the
Gospel, and he shows amazement of how they were so easily turned back to the law
by the Judaizers. He was even more amazed on how they got mad at him for telling
the truth.

Galatians Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it
4:15 had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have
given them to me.
Galatians Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
4:16

and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Ephesians This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as
4:17 other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Ephesians Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God
4:18 through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Ephesians Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to
4:19 work all uncleanness with greediness.

Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the
hearts of the children of men?

Omnipresent

Function: adjective

1: present in all places at all times.

Psalm For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it
139:4 altogether.
Psalm Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
139:5
Psalm Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
139:6
Psalm Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
139:7
Psalm If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold,
139:8 thou art there.

God knows the hearts of men: Before David was chosen to be king, Samuel though
Eliab had to be the one chosen by God because of his stature:

I Samuel And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said,
16:6 Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.
I Samuel But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height
16:7 of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man
seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on
the heart.

Note: The word destruction is used twelve times in the New Testament.

Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the
wise.

Amos They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh
5:10 uprightly.
Proverbs Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love
9:8 thee.
Matthew Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
7:6 swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Note: The word “reprove” is used seven times in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart
the spirit is broken.

Proverbs A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the
17:22 bones.

Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the
mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

A man who has wisdom knows that there is more wisdom to be gotten. A fool is
satisfied with his folly and is wise in his own conceit.

Matthew O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of
12:34 the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matthew A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things:
12:35 and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Matthew But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall
12:36 give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a
continual feast.

All the days of the afflicted are evil:

Proverbs Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
17:13

But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Be kind and look out for the
poor with a merry heart even though they can’t repay you. The Lord will repay you.

Luke But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14:13
Luke And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be
14:14 recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble
therewith.
Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred
therewith.

Be content. God’s grace is sufficient. Those who are carnally rich, but live a life of
hate and contention have no peace. Know Jesus, Know peace. No Jesus, No Peace.

I Timothy Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
6:5 supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
I Timothy But godliness with contentment is great gain.
6:6

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth
strife.

I Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions,
are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Note: The word wrath is used twelve times in the New Testament. The word fight is used
twelve times in the New Testament.

We are to treat each other with respect.

Philippians Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind
2:3 let each esteem other better than themselves.

It seems that in order to get ratings, many news commentaries go against how the
bible tells us to direct our conversations in Titus 3:9.

Titus But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings
3:9 about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the
righteous is made plain.

Slothful sloth·ful

Function: Adjective

1. Disinclined to work or exertion;

2. indolent

synonyms: lazy

Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Wise children bring joy to their father, but foolish children despise their mother.

Luke 15:11-32 tells of the foolish, prodigal son who brought shame to himself and
his family by being a whoremonger and spending up all his substance.

Proverbs The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the
30:17 ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of
understanding walketh uprightly.

A person who is destitute of wisdom is still sleep. Scripture tells us, “Wake up, you
who are sleeping. Rise from the dead and Christ will give you light.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Ephesians But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
5:13 whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Ephesians Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and
5:14 Christ shall give thee light.
Ephesians See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
5:15
Ephesians Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
5:16

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of
counsellors they are established.

Proverbs Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors
11:14 there is safety.

God is the greatest counselor of all:

Romans Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of
13:1 God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due
season, how good is it!

How good it is to say the right thing at the right time.

Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell
beneath.

Proverbs 15:25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the
border of the widow.
The Lord will recompense the widows:

Matthew Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’
23:14 houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the
greater damnation.

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the
words of the pure are pleasant words.

Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts
shall live.

Jude Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the
1:11 error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding
1:12 themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds;
trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom
1:13 is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Extortionist and those that take bribes will be judged harshly:

Matthew Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the
23:25 outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and
excess.

Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the
wicked poureth out evil things.

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:

I Peter But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer
3:15 to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness
and fear:
I Peter Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers,
3:16 they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto
18:13 him.

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the
righteous.
The LORD is far from the wicked:

Psalm They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he
18:41 answered them not.

But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Luke And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray,
18:1 and not to faint;
Luke Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded
18:2 man:
Luke And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me
18:3 of mine adversary.
Luke And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I
18:4 fear not God, nor regard man;
Luke Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual
18:5 coming she weary me.
Luke And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
18:6
Luke And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
18:7 though he bear long with them?
Luke I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man
18:8 cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the
bones fat.

Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth
reproof getteth understanding.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is
humility.

God will send us the Holy Spirit:

John If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

14:14
John If ye love me, keep my commandments.
14:15
John And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
14:16 abide with you for ever;
John Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him
14:17 not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall
be in you.