15:1Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on-answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.
Life Application Study BibleProverbsChapter 15
Proverbs 15
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1026, 1027, 1028
15Proverbs 15
1but harsh words make tempers flare.
2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4Gentle words are a tree of life;a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5Only a fool despises a parent’s* discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6There is treasure in the house of the godly,but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7The lips of the wise give good advice;the heart of a fool has none to give.
8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9The LORD detests the way of the wicked,but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. 11Even Death and Destruction* hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!
12Mockers hate to be corrected,so they stay away from the wise.
13A glad heart makes a happy face;a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14A wise person is hungry for knowledge,while the fool feeds on trash.
15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16Better to have little, with fear for the LORD,than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18A hot-tempered person starts fights;a cool-tempered person stops them.
19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20Sensible children bring joy to their father;foolish children despise their mother.
21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22Plans go wrong for lack of advice;many advisers bring success.
23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise;they leave the grave* behind.
25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26The LORD detests evil plans,but he delights in pure words.
27Greed brings grief to the whole family,but those who hate bribes will live.
28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29The LORD is far from the wicked,but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;good news makes for good health.
31Tf you listen to constructive criticism,you will be at home among the wise.
32If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom;humility precedes honor.1 6 1We can make our own plans,
Textual footnotes
- 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon.
- 15:24 Hebrew Sheol.
Life Application Notes 7 notes
15:3At times it seems that God has let evil run rampant in the world and we wonder if he even notices it. But God sees everything clearly—both the evil actions and the evil intentions lying behind them (15:11). He is not an indifferent observer. He cares and is active in our world. Right now, his work may be unseen and unfelt, but don’t give up. One day he will wipe out evil and punish the evildoers, just as he will establish the good and reward those who do his will.
15:14What we feed our minds is just as important as what we feed our bodies. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to, and the films we watch are all part of our mental diet. Be discerning because what you feed your mind influences your total heaith and well-being. Thus, a strong desire to discover knowledge is a mark of wisdom.
15:15Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to a happy heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, and lovely, with thoughts that dwell on the good things in life (Philippians 4:8). This was Paul’s secret as he faced imprisonment, and it can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living. Look at your attitudes and then examine what you allow to enter your mind and what you choose to dwell on. You may need to make some changes.
15:17-19The “path of the upright” doesn't always seem easy (15:19), but fook at the alternatives. Hatred (15:17), dissension (15:18), and laziness (15:19) cause problems that the upright person does not have to face. By comparison, his or her jife is a smooth, tevel road because it is built on a solid foundation of love for God.
15:22People with tunnel vision—those who are locked into one way of thinking—are likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to any new options. We need the help of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. Seek out the advice of those who know you and have a wealth of experience. Build a network of advisers. Then be open to new ideas, and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully. Your pians will be stronger and more likely to succeed.
15:28The godly weigh their answers; the wicked don’t think before speaking because they don’t care about the effects of their words. It is important to have something to say, but it is equally important to think about it first. Do you carefully plan your words, or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact?