What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
PROVERBS • CHAPTER 15
Proverbs 15
Practical wisdom, speech, work, money, sexuality, family, justice, self-control, leadership, and fear of Yahweh.
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Proverbs 15
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1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3
Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5
A fool despises his father’s correction,
but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
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.
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so with the heart of fools.
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.
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.
but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10
There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way:
whoever hates reproof shall die.
whoever hates reproof shall die.
11
Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
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.
he will not go to the wise.
13
A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
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.
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.
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.
than great treasure with trouble.
17
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
than a fattened calf with hatred.
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18
A wrathful man stirs up contention,
but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
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.
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20
A wise son makes a father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
but he who hates bribes will live.
28
The heart of the righteous weighs answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29
Yahweh is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
Good news gives health to the bones.
31
The ear that listens to reproof lives,
and will be at home among the wise.
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.
but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
Before honor is humility.
Before honor is humility.
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Proverbs belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
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