Proverbs

Chapter 15

A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

Proverbs 15 concentrates on the moral weight of speech, the searching gaze of the LORD, the value of correction, and the superiority of reverent simplicity over prosperous turmoil. Across the chapter, wisdom appears as gentle, teachable, prayerful, patient, and well-counseled, while folly is exposed in harsh words, proud thoughts, greedy gain, and contempt for reproof.

As the fifteenth chapter of Proverbs, this passage continues the Solomonic contrast sayings while giving special emphasis to how the inner life becomes audible and visible in words, worship, and response to correction. It teaches that life with God is not measured by display or abundance but by humble reverence, disciplined speech, receptive hearts, and paths that rise away from death.

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Proverbs 15

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vv. 1-33

A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

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A¹ gentle answer turns away wrath, ²The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, ³The eyes of the LORD are in every place, ⁴A soothing tongue is a tree of life, ⁵A fool rejects his father’s discipline, ⁶The house of the righteous has great treasure, ⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge, ⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD,

⁹The LORD detests the way of the wicked, ¹⁰Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; ¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— ¹²A mocker does not love to be reproved, ¹³A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, ¹⁴A discerning heart seeks knowledge, ¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are bad, ¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the LORD ¹⁷Better a dish of vegetables where there is love

¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, ¹⁹The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, ²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father, ²¹Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, ²²Plans fail for lack of counsel, ²³A man takes joy in a fitting reply — ²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise, ²⁵The LORD tears down the house of the proud, ²⁶The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,

²⁷He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, ²⁸The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, ²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked, ³⁰The light of the eyes cheers the heart, ³¹He who listens to life-giving reproof ³²He who ignores discipline despises himself, ³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,

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01vv. 1-33A Gentle Answer Turns Away WrathThe chapter gathers sayings about gentle speech, divine omniscience, wholesome words, correction, acceptable worship, contentment, household peace, counsel, greed, prayer, and the fear of the LORD. Taken together, they show that wisdom creates a livable moral atmosphere: it quiets anger, welcomes reproof, seeks knowledge, prizes love over abundance, and lives openly before the God who sees hearts and judges ways.