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.

Proverbs 16:8
16:8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

Proverbs 16:16
16:16 How much better to get [acquire] wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Proverbs 16:21
16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant [sweet (and persuasive)] words promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:23
16:23 A wise man’s heart guides his mouth [what we say and how we say it are important], and his lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:28

16:28 A perverse [contrary (literally “perversity” or “fraud”) or crooked] man stirs up dissension [spreads conflict] and a gossip [often distort the facts] separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:31-32
16:31 Gray hair [a symbol of age, experience, and accumulated years; not merely biological aging but a life lived long enough to tell a story] is a crown [a wreath or diadem; a mark of dignity, honor, and achievement; something earned rather than purchased] of splendor [beauty, glory, honor; something worthy of respect]; it is attained [found, obtained, discovered over time; not automatic with age but developed through choices] in the way of righteousness [a path aligned with God’s Word; integrity, faithfulness, obedience; a life that consistently walks with the Lord].

16:32 [patience is stronger than military strength…] Better [of greater value in God’s estimation; superior in quality, not merely preference] a patient man[one who is slow to anger; literally “long of nostrils,” indicating delayed emotional reaction as opposed to rage which causes quick, short breaths; a man who absorbs provocation without immediate retaliation] than a warrior[a man of visible strength; one skilled in battle, capable of overpowering external opposition], a man who controls his temper[one who rules his spirit; exercises dominion over inner impulses—temper, desires, reactions, and words] than one who takes a city [a conqueror of fortified places; one who achieves impressive, public victories through force, strategy, and endurance].

Proverbs 17:9
17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love [cf. Prov. 10:12; Eph. 4:15; 1 Cor. 13:5; 1 Pet. 4:8], but whoever [such as a gossip] repeats the matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 17:14

17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching [a small breach will eventually create a flood] a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute [a legal conflict] breaks out.

Proverbs 17:17-19
17:17 A friend [can refer to a neighbor, associate, companion] loves [this is the heart of being a friend; cf. Jn. 15:13; unconditional love] at all times [such as adversity or prosperity, sickness or health, good news or bad news, optimism or pessimism], and a brother [a true friend is like a true brother] is born [meaning, “to come to the surface” or “appear”] for adversity [difficult times prove the identity of true friends; cf. 2 Tim. 4:16 re: Paul’s experience].

17:18 A man lacking in judgment [one without sense; lacking heart or thinking] strikes hands in pledge [enters an agreement] and puts up security for [or, in the presence of] his neighbor [there is danger in cosigning a note].

17:19 He who loves [has a constant desire for] a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate [threshold; possibly refers to one who prefers to remain isolated from others] invites destruction.

Proverbs 17:22
17:22 A cheerful [joyful; glad; rooted in gratitude rather than circumstances] heart [the inner life; the control center of thoughts, emotions, and will] is good medicine [brings healing, strength, vitality; contributes to physical, emotional, and relational health], but a crushed [broken; discouraged; weighed down; defeated] spirit [inner resolve; courage; emotional core] dries up the bones [saps strength; weakens vitality; leads to depletion and decline].

Proverbs 18:1
18:1 An unfriendly person [one who separates himself; not merely socially awkward, but deliberately detached; a man who withdraws from accountability and wise counsel; self-imposed isolation] pursues selfish ends [literally “seeks his own desire” — craving, appetite, self-driven impulse; prioritizes personal preference over godly wisdom; elevates self as final authority; when separated from counsel, desire grows unchecked] and against all sound judgment [sound wisdom, effective counsel, practical insight formed through reverence for God and tested experience; the collective wisdom of community; instruction meant to guard and steady a man’s path] starts quarrels [carries the sense of breaking out, raging against, or rebelling; reacts defensively when challenged; resists correction; conflict becomes the outward evidence of inward self-rule].

Proverbs 18:9
18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys [a vandal].

Proverbs 18:22

18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good [pleasing to God; cf. Prov. 31:10-31] and receives favor [delight; pleasure] from the LORD [marriage is within God’s will and pleases Him].

Proverbs 18:24
18:24 A man of many companions [friendships made without discrimination; superficial friendships] may come to ruin [cf. Lk. 15:14 re: the experience of the prodigal son; cf. Prov. 19:14], but there is a friend [the kind who will remain supportive at all times] who sticks closer than [a best friend may prove to be more committed (faithful and loyal) to your welfare than a brother or blood relative; Jonathan proved to be more of a brother to David than David’s older brothers (cf. 1 Sam. 20)] a brother.

Proverbs 19:11
19:11 A man’s wisdom [insight; comes from a consistent and careful study of God’s Word] gives him patience; it is to his [the patient and wise person] glory to overlook [this is not our natural inclination] an offense.

Proverbs 19:14
19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent [sensible, understanding, insightful, prudent] wife is from the LORD […and far greater than material inheritance].

Proverbs 19:17-18

19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD [cf. Matt. 25:31-40], and he will reward him for what he has done.

19:18 Discipline your son, for in that [while there is hope; hope has a deadline] there is hope; do not be a willing party [through the neglect of discipline] to his death.

Proverbs 20:1

20:1 Wine is a mocker [to express contempt or to ridicule] and beer [Hebrew word for beer comes from a verb meaning “to become drunk”; noun is often translated “strong drink”] a brawler [a loud and boisterous individual]; whoever is led astray [staggers; to err; to be deceived] by them is not wise.

Proverbs 20:3
20:3 It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife [cf. Matt. 5:9; 1 Pet. 3:11], but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Proverbs 20:7
20:7 The righteous [one who strives to live according to God’s standards] man leads a blameless life [a life of integrity]; blessed [happy] are his children after him.

Proverbs 20:17
20:17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man [in the short-term], but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel [in the long run].

Proverbs 21:6
21:6 A fortune made by a lying tongue [similar to the “fraud” mentioned in 20:17] is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare [lying destroys character].

Proverbs 21:13

21:13 [cf. Ex. 22:25-27] If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:19-20
21:19 [cf. Prov. 19:13; 25:24] Better to live in a desert [better to live isolated in a wilderness] than with a quarrelsome [nagging or contentious] and ill-tempered [hot-tempered] wife.

21:20 [the wise plan for the future] In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil [signs of stability and prosperity], but a foolish man devours all he has.

Proverbs 22:4
22:4 [this verse states a general principle rather than a specific promise; see also Prov. 16:8; 28:6] Humility [essential in our relationship with the Lord; cf. Jas. 4:6] and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:6-9
22:6 Train a child in the way [only two possible ways to go: the way of the righteous and wise or the way of the wicked and foolish] he [according to the child’s aptitude and inclinations] should go [according to his way], and when he is old he will not turn from it.

22:7 [debt is a form of slavery] The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

22:9 A generous man [one who looks kindly at others] will himself be blessed [financially or spiritually], for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 22:16
22:16 He who oppresses the poor [cf. Amos 2:6-7] to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich [perhaps in the hope of getting in their good graces; perhaps by paying exorbitant interest]—both come to poverty [this outcome must be the result of divine judgment].

Proverbs 22:24-27
22:24 Do not make friends [cf. Ps. 1:1; Prov. 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33] with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,

22:25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

22:26 Do not [a command] be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts [or, loans];

22:27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed [your goods] will be snatched [will be seized by your creditors] from under you [i.e., you may lose the shirt off your back].

Proverbs 23:4-5
23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich [do not allow the pursuit of wealth to control your life]; have the wisdom to show restraint.

23:5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 23:13-14
23:13 Do not withhold discipline [correction] from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die [but the child may die (as a result of engaging in life-threatening behavior) if not corrected properly].

23:14 Punish him with the rod and save [proper punishment may help a child avoid behavior that is life-threatening] his soul from death [Sheol, the place of the dead].

Proverbs 23:19-21
23:19 [parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol and illicit drugs…] Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep [guide] your heart [control your thinking] on the right [straight] path.

23:20 Do not join [associate with] those who drink too much wine [drunkards] or gorge themselves on meat [gluttons],

23:21 for [because of the impact alcohol has on one’s ability to think clearly] drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness [a lack of mental alertness] clothes them in rags.

Proverbs 23:24
23:24 The father of a righteous man [a child who acts responsibly and makes choices that honor God] has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.

Proverbs 23:29-35
23:29 [note emotional trauma that results from drunkenness…] Who has woe? Who has sorrow? [note interpersonal strife that results from drunkenness…] Who has strife? Who has complaints? [note physical problems that result from drunkenness…] Who has needless [for no reason] bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

23:30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine [note: the loved ones of the intoxicated individual also suffer].

23:31 Do not gaze at wine [advertisers today present alcoholic products in a positive, glamorous, and appealing light…] when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

23:32 In the end [those who drink usually only consider the immediate pleasure rather than the long-term consequences] it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

23:33 [alcohol impairs the senses and the mind…] Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing [absurd; perverse] things.

23:34 [alcohol disorients the intoxicated person…] You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging [a place that accentuated the effects of the rolling billows of the sea].

23:35 [alcohol dulls the senses…] “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

Proverbs 24:3-4
24:3 By wisdom a house [a family] is built, and through understanding [a foundation of biblical principles] it is established [cf. Matt. 7:24-25];

24:4 through knowledge [a personal knowledge of God and one another] its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures [symbolic language, refers to home filled with happy relationships].

Proverbs 24:11-12
24:11 [imperative command] Rescue [literally “to snatch away”] those [anyone unjustly condemned to die] being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter [term comes from a word implying “ruthless violence”].

24:12 If you say [note that ignorance is no excuse…], “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it [God knows everything about those who try to plead ignorance for evading responsibility]? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done [cf. 2 Cor. 5:10]?