1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise brings forth knowledge,
but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
watching the evil and the good.
4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue wounds the heart.
5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds reproof is wise.
6
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the heart of fools is not upright.
8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer of the upright is pleasing to Him.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
10
Severe discipline is for the one who forsakes the right way,
and whoever hates reproof will die.
11
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD,
how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12
A scoffer does not like to be corrected;
he will not go to the wise.
13
A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15
All the days of the afflicted are bad,
but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure with anxiety.
17
Better is a dish of vegetables with love
than a fattened ox with hatred.
18
A hot-tempered person stirs up strife,
but one who is patient calms a quarrel.
19
The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level road.
20
A wise son makes his father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21
Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
22
Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but they succeed when there are many advisers.
23
A person rejoices in the answer of his mouth,
and how good is a word spoken at the right time!
24
The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol below.
25
The LORD tears down the house of the proud,
but He establishes the boundary of the widow.
26
The plans of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
but gracious words are pure.
27
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own house,
but whoever hates bribes will live.
28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29
The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30
The light of the eyes makes the heart glad,
and good news refreshes the bones.
31
The ear that listens to a life-giving rebuke
will dwell among the wise.
32
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but whoever listens to reproof gains understanding.
33
The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
🗣️🙏🔥 Summary of Proverbs 15 – The Power of the Tongue, the Prayer of the Righteous, and a Heart Full of Understanding
Proverbs 15 describes the power of gentle words, wisdom in response, and the influence of a heart that fears God. Behind all this, God pays attention to the prayer of the righteous and rejects the way of the wicked. A life full of wisdom always begins with the fear of the LORD and a wise heart.
📌 1. A Gentle Tongue vs. a Sharp Tongue (verses 1–4)
“A gentle answer turns away wrath…”
- Gentle words → calm conflict
- Harsh words → stir up anger
- The tongue of the wise brings healing
- The tongue of the foolish destroys
🎯 Words are not only sound — but an instrument of life or death.
📌 2. The LORD Watches Over All Things (verses 3, 8–11)
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place…”
- The LORD:
– Sees the wicked and the good
– Rejects the sacrifice of the wicked
– Delights in the prayer of the upright
🎯 The LORD does not only hear our words — He weighs the heart.
📌 3. Receiving Discipline = A Sign of Wisdom (verses 5, 10, 12, 14, 32)
“Whoever ignores instruction despises himself…”
- Wise people:
– Are willing to be corrected
– Keep learning - Foolish people:
– Hate reproof
– Do not seek understanding
🎯 Discipline is not humiliation — but the way to life.
📌 4. A Heart Full of Understanding (verses 13–17)
“A cheerful heart makes the face radiant…”
- The heart determines the atmosphere of life
- Better a little with love → than much with hatred
- The wise enjoy life because their heart’s attitude is right
🎯 Inner peace is more important than outward luxury.
📌 5. The Way of Life and Eternal Purpose (verses 19–24)
“The way of the wise leads upward…”
- The way of the lazy is full of thorns
- The wicked are hated by the Lord because of their evil intent
- The wise → their life rises toward eternal life
🎯 A wise life = a life that is spiritually ascending.
📌 6. The Lord’s Response to the Righteous and the Wicked (verses 25–33)
“The Lord tears down the house of the proud…”
- The Lord:
– Upholds the widow
– Hates evil plans
– Loves pure words
– Is near to the righteous
🎯 Living rightly is not only ethical — but pleasing to the Lord.
📖 Main Teachings
- Gentle words can stop an argument
- The Lord cares about the heart, not outward appearance
- The wise love correction and keep growing
- A right heart brings joy and peace
- The Lord sees, judges, and repays every way of life
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…”
→ Emphasizing the importance of control of the tongue.
“Keep on praying.”
→ The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous and is pleased with them.
“Every idle word will be called to account…”
→ Our words will be judged before God.
“Discipline yields the fruit of righteousness…”
→ Correction is an instrument of God’s love.
🎯 Proverbs 15 teaches that a righteous and wise life is a life that is watched over, blessed, and guided by the Lord.
🕊️ “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” – Proverbs 15:1
🕊️ “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch over the evil and the good.” – Proverbs 15:3
🕊️ “Better a meal of vegetables with love than a fattened ox with hatred.” – Proverbs 15:17
🕊️ “The prayer of the upright is His delight.” – Proverbs 15:8
🕊️ “The path of the wise goes upward, to turn away from the realm of the dead.” – Proverbs 15:24
