Proverbs 15

http://www.carm.org/kjv/Prov/Prov_15.htm

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

"Soft" can mean "low or subdued in sound; gentle and melodious."  It can also mean
gentle, mild, warm-hearted, or compassionate."  Both of those could work, but I think this one--"responsive or sympathetic to the feelings, emotions, needs, etc., of others"--is the one that works the best.  It is hard to be hostile to someone who is sensitive to your feelings.  (It can still result in some people's being hostile, yes.  But most decent people are not hostile when you are not hostile towards them.)  Wrath, of course, is anger, but it can also mean vengeance or punishment (ie, "you will suffer my wrath!").  So, if you are sensitive to the feelings and emotions of the person who is wrathful, perhaps you will be able to avoid the harsher consequences.  Perhaps the person who is wrathful will start to look at you as a person and not a problem, and be more inclined  to listen to your explanation. 

"Grievous" words are defined as "causing grief or great sorrow," "flagrant; outrageous; atrocious," and "burdensome or oppressive."  So, if you behave atrociously, causing grief or oppression to be felt by the other party, you will stir up their anger.  Who wouldn't be angry at some butthead who is oppressing or grieving them?

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.

The wise person speaks about the knowledge he has correctly--neither adding nor subtracting nor twisting the truth.  A fool gushes out bullshit.  (A more modern term for "foolishness.")  They add to, subtract from, and twist the truth at will.  They somehow think  that they can pull off "bullshitting" the world because  they see themselves as soooo clever. 

However, GOD SEES EVERYTHING.  No matter where they are, neither the good done by people nor the evil done by people is every hidden from HIS sight.  So, the fool may be able to get some of his fellow humans to believe his bullshit, but God is not fooled.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

"Wholesome" is that which is conducive to "moral or general well-being" or to "bodily health."  Obviously, something that is wholesome will be life-promoting.  "Perverseness" is that which is "contrary to what is desired or expected."  The perverse person rejects what is right, good, and proper.  It says that perverseness creates a "breach in the spirit."  A breach is a "gap made in" something.  A gap is a hole.  People who are perverse have a hole in their spirits.  That doesn't sound good.  Things with holes in them cannot hold anything good.  An obsolete meaning of the word "breach" is "wound."  Perversity can wound your spirit. 

5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

This is repeated from earlier chapters--a fool doesn't want to be instructed or corrected.  The intelligent person knows that it is wise to accept correction to avoid trouble down the road. 

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

The righteous possess a lot of treasure--the treasure is most likely wisdom.   The wicked's "revenue" (which means "income" or "yield from any kind of property, patent, service, income") is trouble.  Trouble has many meanings--all negative.  Some of them are "to disturb the mental calm and contentment of' worry; distress; agitation," "inconvenience," "bodily pain, discomfort," "to annoy or vex."  The "treasure" of the fool is trouble.  Bad business.

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.

From the wise, surprise, surprise, wisdom and knowledge comes.  And surprise, surprise, from the fool--no wisdom or knowledge comes.

The Lord looks with disgust on the sacrifices of the wicked.  Probably because the sacrifice was given for the wrong reasons or in the wrong spirit...however, the Lord "delights" in the mere prayer of the upright person--because it is sincere, i suspect.  God would rather have a prayer offered in humility and true respect and worship  than a huge sacrifice from someone who gives it to show off or in some other way have the incorrect attitude toward God in his giving.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

There are so many meanings of "way" that could be used here--the "manner or mode" of the person's behavior is one.  The manner someone usually behaves could be disgusting to God.    Another meaning is "characteristic or habitual manner."  This works just like the other one.  If a person habitually behaves badly, God is digusted by it.  The final one that works well here is "a method or plan or means for attaining a goal."  It may not be any particular thing that offends God--but rather the way someone has attained that thing.  God would rather have an honest and respectfully given morsel than a dishonestly obtained banquet given to him in scorn.

God loves the person who walks in the path of righteousness.  If you walk down  the road you are supposed to be walking down--not creeping off in some tunnel or in some bushes--God is pleased with you.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

The person who abandons the "way" (the proper path set before them) is outraged by correction.  This person feels oppressed when he is corrected.  However, if he "hates reproof" he is doomed to make all kinds of mistakes that will prove fatal to his soul.


11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

I don't understand this verse. 


12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

A scorner is someone who feels contempt for what is right. He doesn't like to be told he is wrong.  He will not pay attention to anyone who is wise, either.

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.

A cheerful person makes a happy face.  But if your heart is filed with sadness, your spirit is broken.

A smart person who understands what is important will look for knowledge--but fools only want to suck in more 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.

An afflicted person has "grievous physical or mental suffering."   An afflicted person can also be someone who is "mentally or physically unfit."  In either of these definitions, the life of the afflicted person sucks.  But someone who has a "merry" (ie "happy") heart is always as happy as if he were at a party.

It is better to have just a little with the proper relationship to God than it is to have a tremendous amount of treasure with only misery and no relationship with God.

It is better to just eat a salad which is served with love than it is to have a whole beef cow worth of steaks served up with hatred. 

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

A angry, hateful person loves to stir up trouble.  A person who doesn't get mad at the drop of a hat are able to bring about peace and calm and contentment.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

A lazy man is going to have a tough time--it will be as hard for him to get ahead as it is to fight your way through a hedge of thorns.  A righteous man--one who works hard--has a clear path.


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.

A father can be proud of a child who is wise. A fool doesn't respect his mother; she is embarrassed by his behavior.  Someone who doesn't have any wisdom is HAPPY when something stupid happens.  A man who is understanding walks properly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

If a person doesn't listen to advice, he will never meet his goals.  The more wise advice you get, the better off you are.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

It is good to be able to say what needs to be said when it needs to be said.  Being smart is a joy.

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

A wise person lives a good life--he will rise above the threat of hell.

25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

God is not impressed by people who are filled with pride.  He will destroy their "house" (whatever it is that they are trying to establish in their pridefulness).  However, the Lord will watch over and take care of the widow, a person who probably has no one else to take care of her.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

God hates the way the wicked person thinks.  He loves to hear the words of the pure hearted person.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

A person who is greedy brings trouble to his family.  The person that hates "free lunches" will prosper.


28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

A righteous person THINKS before he answers so that he gets it right.  The wicked person just blurts out whatever stupid or evil thing that comes to his head.  No regard for consequences.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The Lord is far away from the wicked--because the wicked puts a lot of distance between himself and the Lord.  But every prayer that the righteous person says, God hears. 

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

"The light of the eyes" must be the twinkle of joy and happiness that comes into someone's eyes.  Having this light makes someone's heart light and happy too.  "A good report" must be having good things said about you by others--like getting a good report card, sorta.  A good report of your behavior and activities is as nourishing to the soul as food is to the body.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Someone who listens to correction and pays attention to constructive criticism is living the life of a wise man.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

The person who will not be taught has no regard for the state of his own sould.  If you pay attention to what you are taught--you will gain understanding and enlightenment.


33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

 Respecting God is wise.  Before you can receive "honor," you must first be humble enough to admit you don't know everything and listen to those who are wiser than yourself.