(Prov 15:1 NASB) A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Prov 15:1: It is easy to stir up anger with a few harsh words. But there is no reason to stir up anger when it is not necessary.
(Prov 15:2 NASB) The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
Prov 15:2: Solomon speaks a lot of the contrast between the words of the wise and foolish.
(Prov 15:3 NASB) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
Prov 15:3: The eyes of Yahweh see everything (2 Chron. 16:9, Job 34:21-22, Jer. 16:17, 23:24, 32:19).
(Prov 15:4 NASB) A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
(Prov 15:5 NASB) A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is prudent.
Prov 15:5: Once again, Solomon speaks of the wisdom in accepting reproof and discipline.
(Prov 15:6 NASB) Much wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
(Prov 15:7 NASB) The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.
Prov 15:7: The lips of the wise spread knowledge, which is His Torah (Psalm 37:30-31).
(Prov 15:8 NASB) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Prov 15:8: The sacrifice or anything else of the wicked is an abomination to Elohim (Prov. 28:9, Isa. 1:10-18, Jer. 6:19-20, 7:21-23).
(Prov 15:9 NASB) The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who pursues righteousness.
(Prov 15:10 NASB) Stern discipline is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.
Prov 15:10: The Hebrew word for “way” is orach. It is a reference to keeping His Torah (Prov. 12:28, Psalm 119:9, 15, Isaiah 2:3)
(Prov 15:11 NASB) Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!
(Prov 15:12 NASB) A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.
Prov 15:12: A scoffer will despise those who try to reprove him and direct him toward the Torah of the Father.
(Prov 15:13 NASB) A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
(Prov 15:14 NASB) The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
Prov 15:14: The mind of the intelligent seeks the knowledge of Elohim and His ways (Psalm 119:97-100).
(Prov 15:15 NASB) All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
(Prov 15:16 NASB) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Prov 15:16: Having very little and having a fear of Yahweh is better than anything the world has to offer.
(Prov 15:17 NASB) Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, Than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
Prov 15:17: Nothing is enjoyable when hatred is stirred up.
(Prov 15:18 NASB) A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger pacifies contention.
Prov 15:18: This is another warning to control our temper.
(Prov 15:19 NASB) The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.
(Prov 15:20 NASB) A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
Prov 15:20: This is another contrast between the wise son and the foolish son.
(Prov 15:21 NASB) Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.
(Prov 15:22 NASB) Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.
(Prov 15:23 NASB) A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!
Prov 15:23: It is noteworthy that joy and delight come from an apt answer and a timely word.
(Prov 15:24 NASB) The path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol below.
(Prov 15:25 NASB) The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
(Prov 15:26 NASB) Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.
(Prov 15:27 NASB) He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
Prov 15:27: Elohim insists on proper business conduct.
(Prov 15:28 NASB) The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Prov 15:28: Answers to questions and dilemmas should be thought out and studied.
(Prov 15:29 NASB) The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Prov 15:29: As mentioned earlier, Elohim only hears the prayers of the righteous.
(Prov 15:30 NASB) Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.
(Prov 15:31 NASB) He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.
(Prov 15:32 NASB) He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
Prov 15:32: This is more advice on embracing discipline and reproof.
(Prov 15:33 NASB) The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
Prov 15:33: The fear of Yahweh is the instruction for wisdom (Psalm 111:10, Job 28:28).
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas