Proverbs 15
15:1 a Moderating emotions and suiting them to the context helps others listen to what we say without reacting.15:2 b A wise teacher presents lessons in an attractive way. Crude belching describes the ugly teaching of a fool.
15:3 c Knowing that thethe eyes of the Lord is watching everywhere is motivation for wise behavior.
15:5 d Wisdom requires learning from correction.
15:6 e God blesses the godly with wealth (10:22 f; cp. 10:15 g and 14:24 h). The wicked may also gain wealth, but it will bring trouble rather than blessing (11:4 i, 18 j; 13:11 k; 21:6 l; 22:16 m).
15:8 n God looks beyond the outward actions of sacrifice and prayers to see if they reflect the heart’s attitude (see also 21:27 o; Ps 40:6-8 p; Mic 6:6-8 q).
15:11 r Death and Destruction (Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon) personify the destiny of the dead. Sheol is the abode of the dead; Abaddon is a synonym for Sheol that has an added implication of punishment.
• God knows all secrets (see Ps 139:1-12 s).
15:12 t Mockers cannot become wise because they keep criticism at a distance (cp. 10:17 u; 13:1 v, 10 w).
15:13 x What people feel affects how they present themselves (cp. 15:30 y).
15:14 z Whether we enjoy knowledge or trash reveals whether we are on the path of wisdom or of folly.
15:15 aa Personality affects our outlook on life.
15:16 ab A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace.
• Better to have little: See also 16:8 ac.
15:17 ad This better than proverb shows the relative value of wealth. A substantial meal (steak) is good, but love is better.
15:18 ae Controlling one’s anger is a sign of wisdom (see also Jas 1:19-20 af).
15:19 ag A lazy person can find all kinds of obstacles (e.g., a path blocked with briers) to avoid work (see 10:4 ah, 26 ai; 12:11 aj, 14 ak; 13:4 al; 14:4 am).
15:22 an An individual might not think of all the angles of a problem; a wise person invites advice from many advisers.
15:24 ao A wise person avoids death by choosing the path of life.
15:25 ap The proud think that they are self-sufficient. Widows in the ancient Near East were just the opposite—completely vulnerable and without means of support or protection.
15:29 aq The heart behind prayers determines whether God hears them.
15:30 ar Just as how we feel affects our demeanor (see 15:13 as), what we experience (such as another person’s cheerful look or good news) can affect how we feel.
15:33 at Fear of the Lord fosters humility because proper regard for God counteracts our delusions of self-sufficiency.
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