Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Proverbs in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.Template:Sfn The book is a compilation of several wisdom literature collections, with the heading in 1:1 may be intended to regard Solomon as the traditional author of the whole book, but the dates of the individual collections are difficult to determine, and the book probably obtained its final shape in the post-exilic period.Template:Sfn This chapter is a part of the second collection of the book.Template:Sfn

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text of Proverbs 15 with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

Verse	Hebrew	English translation (JPS 1917)
1	Template:Script/Hebrew	A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2	Template:Script/Hebrew	The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3	Template:Script/Hebrew	The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
4	Template:Script/Hebrew	A soothing tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a wound to the spirit.
5	Template:Script/Hebrew	A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6	Template:Script/Hebrew	In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7	Template:Script/Hebrew	The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish is not stedfast.
8	Template:Script/Hebrew	The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9	Template:Script/Hebrew	The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10	Template:Script/Hebrew	There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.
11	Template:Script/Hebrew	The nether-world and Destruction are before the LORD; How much more then the hearts of the children of men
12	Template:Script/Hebrew	A scorner loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.
13	Template:Script/Hebrew	A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14	Template:Script/Hebrew	The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15	Template:Script/Hebrew	All the days of the poor are evil; But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16	Template:Script/Hebrew	Better is little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure and turmoil therewith.
17	Template:Script/Hebrew	Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18	Template:Script/Hebrew	A wrathful man stirreth up discord; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19	Template:Script/Hebrew	The way of the sluggard is as though hedged by thorns; But the path of the upright is even.
20	Template:Script/Hebrew	A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21	Template:Script/Hebrew	Folly is joy to him that lacketh understanding; But a man of discernment walketh straightforwards.
22	Template:Script/Hebrew	For want of counsel purposes are frustrated; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23	Template:Script/Hebrew	A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
24	Template:Script/Hebrew	The path of life goeth upward for the wise, that he may depart from the nether-world beneath.
25	Template:Script/Hebrew	The LORD will pluck up the house of the proud; But He will establish the border of the widow
26	Template:Script/Hebrew	The thoughts of wickedness are an abomination to the LORD; But words of pleasantness are pure.
27	Template:Script/Hebrew	He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live.
28	Template:Script/Hebrew	The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29	Template:Script/Hebrew	The LORD is far from the wicked; But He heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30	Template:Script/Hebrew	The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And a good report maketh the bones fat.
31	Template:Script/Hebrew	The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32	Template:Script/Hebrew	He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
33	Template:Script/Hebrew	The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; And before honour goeth humility.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).Template:Sfn Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls including 4Q103 (4QProvTemplate:Sup; 30 BCE – 30 CE) with extant verses 1–8, 19–31.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; $𝔊$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: $𝔊$^S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; $𝔊$^A; 5th century).Template:Sfn

Analysis

This chapter belongs to a section regarded as the second collection in the book of Proverbs (comprising Proverbs 10:1–22:16), also called "The First 'Solomonic' Collection" (the second one in Proverbs 25:1–29:27).Template:Sfn The collection contains 375 sayings, each of which consists of two parallel phrases, except for Proverbs 19:7 which consists of three parts.Template:Sfn

Verse 1

A soft answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

• "Soft”: from the Hebrew adjective Template:Lang, rakh, "soft; tender; gentle”; in conjunction to an "answer" provides a meaning of 'more than a mild response' but 'conciliatory response that restores good temper and reasonableness', as illustrated by Gideon in his answer (Judges 8:1-3) that brings peace.
• "Harsh": from the Hebrew noun Template:Lang, ʿetsev, “pain, hurt” that functions as an attributive genitive referring to 'something that causes pain', as illustrated by Jephthah's harsh answer which led to war (Judges 12:1-6).

This verse contrasts a conciliatory reply that soothes a situation leading to reasoned discussion and the acrimonious reply that inflames a situation and makes intelligent discussion impossible.Template:Sfn

Verse 4

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

• "Gentle": in Hebrew literally, “a tongue of healing,” referring to 'speech that is therapeutic or soothing'.

This saying points that conciliatory or healing speech promotes life, in contrast with twisted or perverse speech, which may cause injury and bring death (cf. Proverbs 18:21).Template:Sfn

Verse 23

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

• "The answer of his mouth": this term parallels to 'the good word spoken in season', so it would refer to "a proper or fitting answer".

This saying praises how a timely word brings satisfaction for both the speaker and the hearer(s), because words spoken out of "due season' would be ineffective and counter-productive.Template:Sfn

See also

• Related Bible parts: Deuteronomy 12, Proverbs 7, Proverbs 16, Proverbs 22

Sources

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External links

• Jewish translations:
  • Mishlei - Proverbs - Chapter 15 (Judaica Press) translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
• Christian translations:
  • Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• Book of Proverbs Chapter 15 King James Version
• Template:Librivox book Various versions