FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 15:1
KJVA soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Read it in context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
Start reading at Proverbs 15:1 (Proverbs 15:1 to Proverbs 15:33).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
- 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
- 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
- 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
- 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
- 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
- 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
- 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
- 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
- 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
- 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
- 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
- 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- 15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
- 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
- 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
- 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
- 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
- 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
- 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
- 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
- 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
- 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
- 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
- 15:25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
- 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
- 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
- 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
- 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
- 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
- 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
- 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
- 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath. Read Proverbs 15:1 through Proverbs 15:33 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath (Proverbs 15:1 to Proverbs 15:33). Start reading at Proverbs 15:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- soft Prov 25:15 Judg 8:1-3 1 Sam 25:21-33 1 Sam 25:18 1 Sam 10:12 1 Sam 28:25 Judg 12:3-6 1 Sam 25:10-11,21-22
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 15
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.