NIV

15:1 A gentle [the nature of the delivery] answer [gives anger time to subside and the Holy Spirit time to control our response] turns away [turns down the heat] wrath, but a harsh word [words that carry explosive and destructive potential] stirs up [fans the flames of a smoldering fire] anger [thus escalating the argument or conflict].

15:2 The tongue of the wise [one who knows how to prudently and gracefully communicate; takes into account the manner in which he speaks; knows how to appropriately express knowledge] adorns knowledge [makes knowledge look lovely], but the mouth of the fool [lacks discretion and decorum] gushes [like a fire hydrant; like a flood] folly [which the fool, in his own mind, generally considers to be knowledge].

15:3 The eyes of the Lord [his knowledge of who we are and what we do] are everywhere [omnipresent and omniscient; we can never hide from God’s gaze nor do anything behind God’s back (Psalm. 139:1-5)], keeping watch [everything we do is in the sight of the Lord, even what we do in the dark (Ps. 139:11-12)] on the wicked and the good.



Note | From a Hymn by the Christian Latin poet, Prudentius (348-505 AD)

“For God our Maker, ever nigh,

Surveys us with a watchful eye;

Our every thought and act he knows,

From early dawn to daylight’s close.”

15:4 [compare Prov. 12:18] The soothing [wholesome (Eph. 4:29); healing; gentle and mild] tongue [one that speaks good words; what lies in the well of the heart comes up in the bucket of speech (Matt. 12:34); our words reveal our character] is a tree of life [a tree is a symbol of stability, shelter, and growth; preserves and promotes life; nourishes and refreshes the listener like the fruit of a tree], but a perverse [corrupt] tongue crushes [our words have consequences; people can be crushed under the weight of negative words; wounds, corrupts, destroys; words that lead to pain and despair and cause emotional damage; harsh words create division] the spirit [of both speaker and hearer].

15:5 A fool spurns [does not regard or obey] a parent’s [who love and have authority over him; fools also despise the instruction of anyone who has authority over them] discipline [or correction; designed to keep a child from a foolish path], but whoever heeds [receives and acts on] correction shows prudence [to act in a manner that shows care and thought for the future; becomes wiser as a result].

15:6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

15:8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

15:9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

15:10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

15:11 Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord— how much more do human hearts!

15:12 Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15:15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love [affection] than a fattened calf with hatred [some people allow wealth to replace love].
 
15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient [one slow to anger] man calms a quarrel [cf. Rom. 12:18].


15:19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.


15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

15:21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

15:24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

15:26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.

15:27 A greedy man [one preoccupied with amassing wealth; one who obtains wealth by dishonesty, violence, or injustice] brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

15:30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

15:31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

15:32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

15:33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.