Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs 15

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 15 A soft answer turneth away wrath—A wise son maketh a glad father—The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord—Before honor is humility.
1 A ^aSOFT ^banswer turneth away ^cwrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The ^atongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out ^bfoolishness. 3 The ^aeyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.		1^a TG Patience; TG Self-mastery ^b TG Communication ^c Gen. 26:17 2^a TG Communication ^b TG Foolishness; TG Gossip 3^a TG God, Omniscience of
4 A wholesome ^atongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A ^afool despiseth his father's ^binstruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much ^atreasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.		4^a TG Honesty; TG Profanity 5^a Prov. 10:1; D&C 68:31 ^b Prov. 13:18 6^a TG Treasure
7 The ^alips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The ^asacrifice 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 ^arighteousness.		7^a TG Communication 8^a Gen. 4:5; Moro. 7:8 (5-11) TG Sacrifice 9^a TG Righteousness
10 ^aCorrection is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth ^breproof shall ^cdie. 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.		10^a 1 Ne. 16:2; 2 Ne. 1:26; 2 Ne. 9:40; Mosiah 13:7 ^b TG Reproof ^c Prov. 14:12
13 A ^amerry ^bheart maketh a ^ccheerful countenance: but by ^dsorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath ^aunderstanding seeketh ^bknowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on ^cfoolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.		13^a TG Happiness ^b Prov. 17:22 ^c TG Cheerfulness ^d TG Sorrow 14^a TG Understanding ^b Prov. 14:6; TG Knowledge ^c TG Foolishness
16 Better is ^alittle with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where ^alove is, than a ^bstalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A ^awrathful man stirreth up ^bstrife: but he that is slow to ^canger appeaseth ^cstrife.		16^a Ps. 37:16; Eccl. 4:6; James 2:5 (1-9) 17^a Prov. 17:1; TG Love ^b IE fattened ox 18^a Prov. 14:29 ^b TG Strife ^c TG Anger ^d TG Contention
19 The way of the ^aslothful 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 ^afoolish man despiseth his ^bmother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of ^aunderstanding walketh uprightly.		19^a TG Laziness 20^a Prov. 10:1 ^b TG Marriage, Motherhood 21^a TG Understanding
22 Without ^acounsel 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 ^aword spoken in due ^bseason, how good is it! 24 The way of life is ^aabove to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.		22^a 2 Ne. 9:28; Jacob 4:10; Alma 37:12; D&C 105:37; D&C 122:2 23^a Prov. 25:11 ^b Eccl. 3:1-8 24^a Col. 3:2; 2 Ne. 9:39
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the ^aproud: but he will establish the border of the ^bwidow. 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.		25^a Prov. 12:7; D&C 64:24 ^b Ps. 146:9
28 The heart of the righteous ^astudieth to ^banswer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is ^afar from the ^bwicked: 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.		28^a TG Study ^b TG Communication 29^a Ps. 10:1 ^b Mosiah 11:24 (23-25); Mosiah 21:15; D&C 101:7
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul^a: but he that ^aheareth reproof getteth ^bunderstanding. 33 The ^afear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before ^bhonour is ^chumility.	32^a He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul Being teachable is a learned skill that must be worked at. In comes with effort and determination. Studying is not the easiest thing to do, but with a constant effort it does become less difficult. Training one's mind to gain intelligence and the wisdom thereof takes effort, practice and continued effort and work. But the work becomes easier and at times even enjoyable, at least the product of the effort is rewarding. For example, it is still not easy for me to read, but the reward of added knowledge and learning makes the effort worth it. Some people like to read for entertainment. If that is all there was to it, I'd likely not read. But because information is obtained through the process, then I put forth the effort to read for the reward of learning something and what better thing to learn but about the things of God?	32^a OR obeys ^b TG Understanding 32^a TG Reverence ^b TG Honor ^c TG Humility