Proverbs chapter 15 (part 3) - Plans fail for lack of counsel #Wise sayings of Solomon

Bible study of Proverbs chapter 15, verses 21 to 27. Aided with Matthew Henry Commentary.


21 21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly. (Proverbs 15:21) (NKJV)

21 21 Folly is a joy to him who has no sense,
    but a man of understanding walks aright.(Proverbs 15:21) (RSV)

21 21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs 15:21) (NIV)

The wise person who has understanding will choose to live a life which is upright, with good deeds. A good and righteous life will bring about riches and wealth, happiness and joy, peace and security, a meaningful life and eternal life.

For the foolish person devoid of understanding will choose to live a life of folly, with many bad and unhealthy activities. Living a foolish life will lead to many problems, troubles, and spiritual death. The foolish person enjoys living a sinful life.

22 22 Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22) (NKJV)

22 22 Without counsel plans go wrong,
    but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22) (RSV)

22 22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22) (NIV)

Plans are more likely to be successful if we take in and consider multiple ideas, and multiple points of view. A wise leader will listen to the advice/counsel and ideas of other people, compare and analyze the options, and eventually decide on the best course of action.

If plans are made on only one person's idea, the plan may or may not be successful. That person has a tendency to think from one point of view only. Hence, it is better to consider multiple points of views, multiple ideas, multiple advices.

23 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23) (RSV)

23 23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
    and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23) (NIV)

It is a good thing to be able to give a wise and appropriate reply. This will be a joy and gladness to person who replies, and sweet to the ears for the person receiving the reply. Wisdom in speech is very important as one of the principles of wisdom.

We speak wisely when we speak seasonably: The answer of the mouthwill be our credit and joy when it is pertinent and to the purpose, and is spoken in due season, when it is needed and will be regarded, and, as we say, hits the joint. Many a good word comes short of doing the good it might have done, for want of being well-timed.

24 24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, 
That he may turn away from hell[d] below. (Proverbs 15:24) (NKJV)

24 24 The wise man’s path leads upward to life,
    that he may avoid Sheol beneath. (Proverbs 15:24) (RSV)

24 24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. (Proverbs 15:24) (NIV)

The wise and prudent person lives a life leading to eternal life, leading to heaven. His path is away from spiritual death.

 A good man sets his affections on things above, and deals in those things. His conversation is in heaven; his way leads directly thither; there his treasure is, above, out of the reach of enemies, above the changes of this lower world. A good man is truly noble and great; his desires and designs are high, and he lives above the common rate of other men. It is above the capacity and out of the sight of foolish men.

25 25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow. (Proverbs 15:25) (NKJV)

25 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
     but maintains the widow’s boundaries. (Proverbs 15:25) (RSV)

25 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. (Proverbs 15:25) (NIV)

God protects the assets of the lowly citizens because God loves the humble people. God hates the proud person, and will punish the proud by destruction of his business empire, his huge estate, his vast properties. To be blessed by God, we must appreciate God and remain humble. We must not be proud and conceited when God bless us with riches and wealth. If we are blessed with greater riches and wealth as compared to other people, we must be ever so thankful and express our continual gratitude to God, acknowledging God for the blessings, and always remain humble.

The proud, that magnify themselves, bid defiance to the God above them and trample on all about them, are such as God resists andwill destroy, not them only, but their houses, which they are proud of and are confident of the continuance and perpetuity of. Pride is the ruin of multitudes.

26 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
But the words of the pure are pleasant. (Proverbs 15:26) (NKJV)

26 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    the words of the pure are pleasing to him.[b]  (Proverbs 15:26) (RSV)

26 26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
    but gracious words are pure in his sight. (Proverbs 15:26) (NIV)

Good thoughts and good words are liked by God. God likes people with pure and noble thoughts, wise and gracious words. Gracious words should be spoken to other people. It is no point to speak good only to God and speak wickedly to other people. For God's greatest commandments are to love our God, and to love our neighbours.

God hates the wicked thoughts of the wicked people. Not only God hates the wrong doings which are already committed, God also hates the evil and deceitful thoughts. Because wrong doings start from the evil heart and the evil thoughts.

The former part of this verse speaks of thoughts, the latter of words, but they come all to one; for thoughts are words to God, and words are judged of by the thoughts from which they proceed, so that, 1. The thoughts and words of the wicked, which are, like themselves, wicked, which aim at mischief, and have some ill tendency or other, are an abomination to the Lord; he is displeased at them and will reckon for them. The thoughts of wicked men, for the most part, are such as God hates, and are an offence to him.

27 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27) (NKJV)

27 27 He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for his household,
    but he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27) (RSV)

27 27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs15:27) (NIV)

We must practice fair business practices and ethics in business and work. The person who takes bribes will somehow bias positively toward the bribe giver, hence, breeding an unfair business practice. Other forms of unfairness are also not acceptable. Business practice should be on win-win basis, all contracts and agreements should be fair and win-win for all parties concerned.


Friday, Feb 14, 2014.
Michael Yeap-------------------------

NIV:: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015&version=NKJV

Commentaries:

20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.21
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.22
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.23
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.24
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.25
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.26
26)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.27
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