Proverbs 15: A Gentle Answer and Watching Eyes
Gentle words turn away wrath, and Yahweh's eyes watch everywhere, weighing the heart's true thoughts.
Proverbs 15 (WEB)
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Proverbs 15 (KJV)
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 15 (ASV)
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolishdoethnot so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah; How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise.
13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
24 To the wise the way of lifegoethupward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant wordsarepure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth bribes shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; Andgood tidings make the bones fat.
31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.
32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honorgoethhumility.
Summary
This chapter centers on the heart, the tongue, and the all-seeing presence of Yahweh. It opens with one of the book's most quoted lines: a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good, and he weighs even the sacrifices and prayers of people, delighting in the upright and detesting the wicked. The chapter prizes a glad and cheerful heart, which makes a continual feast, over an aching spirit, and treasures contentment with little in the fear of Yahweh above great wealth with trouble. It repeatedly commends listening to reproof, seeking counsel, and weighing answers before speaking. A well-timed word is celebrated as good and sweet, and the chapter closes by joining the fear of Yahweh, the teacher of wisdom, with humility that comes before honor.
Main Characters
- Yahweh — The LORD whose eyes are everywhere, who hears the prayer of the upright and is far from the wicked.
- The wise — Those who commend knowledge, weigh their answers, seek counsel, and listen to life-giving reproof.
- The fool — The one who gushes folly, despises a father's correction, and finds joy in foolishness.
- The righteous — Those whose house holds treasure and whose heart weighs answers before speaking.
Key Verse
Proverbs 15:1 (WEB)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Lessons Learned
- A gentle answer has power to calm conflict that a harsh word only inflames.
- Nothing is hidden, for Yahweh's eyes watch everywhere and weigh the heart.
- A cheerful, contented heart is a richer feast than anxious abundance.
- Those who welcome correction grow wise; those who refuse it harm themselves.
- Gentleness can defuse anger that harshness ignites. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1, WEB).
- God sees all and misses nothing. Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3, WEB).
- Contentment with God outweighs anxious wealth. Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble (Proverbs 15:16, WEB).
- God draws near to hear the upright's prayer. Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous (Proverbs 15:29, WEB).
- A word at the right time brings joy. Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! (Proverbs 15:23, WEB).
- Listening to reproof leads to wise living. The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise (Proverbs 15:31, WEB).
- How does the chapter contrast the effect of a gentle answer with a harsh word (Proverbs 15:1)?
- What does it mean for daily life that Yahweh's eyes are everywhere (Proverbs 15:3)?
- Why does the chapter value little with the fear of Yahweh over great treasure with trouble (Proverbs 15:16)?
- How might a gentle answer change a conflict you are currently facing?
- How do you respond when corrected, and what would it look like to welcome reproof as the wise do?
- A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Our tone and choice of words can either cool a conflict or pour fuel on it, so gentleness becomes a powerful peacemaking tool.
- Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, watching the evil and the good, which means no thought, motive, or deed escapes his notice. This calls us to live honestly before a God who sees all and weighs the heart.
- Little with the fear of Yahweh is better than great treasure with trouble because peace, love, and reverence for God outweigh anxious abundance. Contentment rooted in God surpasses wealth that brings turmoil.
- Personal: invite members to picture a tense situation. Encourage them to respond with a gentle answer rather than a harsh word, trusting that softness of speech can turn away wrath.
- Personal: let members reflect honestly on their reaction to correction. Hold up the wise who listen to reproof and live, and encourage them to receive feedback as a path to growth and life.