The Bible — World English Bible
Proverbs 15
In brief
Proverbs 15 is a chapter about speech and the heart. It opens with one of the best known sayings in the book: a gentle answer turns away wrath. It then contrasts the tongue of the wise with that of fools, recalls that the Lord sees everything, and speaks of the joy of the heart, the prayer of the upright, the value of counsel and of listening to rebuke. It ends with a simple conclusion: the fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
The chapter in 5 parts
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Key verses
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
How you answer matters as much as what you say. A gentle word defuses anger, a harsh word stirs it up.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
Your inner state shows on your face. The verse notes the link between heart and spirit, without minimizing the real sadness of those who suffer.
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
The proverb contrasts the hot-tempered man who stirs up strife with the one who is slow to anger and calms quarrels. Patience is already an act of peace.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
A plan succeeds more easily when you deliberate with many counselors. The verse invites you not to decide important things alone.
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
The chapter closes on a central principle of the book: the fear of the Lord is a learning process, and humility comes before honor.
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Frequently asked questions about Proverbs 15
What does Proverbs 15:1 mean?
The verse says a gentle answer turns away wrath, while a harsh word stirs up anger. It does not ask you to give way on the substance, but to choose a tone that soothes. In a conflict, the form of the answer often decides what follows: it can put out the fire or light it. It is a principle of practical wisdom, valid in the family, the church and at work.
What does Proverbs 15:22 say about counselors?
The verse affirms that plans fail for lack of a council that deliberates, but succeed when there are many advisers. It encourages you not to decide important things alone, but to ask wise and varied people for their view. This does not replace prayer: the final decision remains an act of responsibility before God.
What is the message of Proverbs 15?
The chapter shows that wisdom is seen in words and in the attitude of the heart: a gentle answer, patience, joy, listening to correction, counsel and humility. It also recalls that the Lord sees in every place, the prayer of the upright pleases him, and the fear of the Lord teaches wisdom.
Articles quoting Proverbs 15
World English Bible translation — public domain.