1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. (Proverbs 15:1-2) (NKJV)
1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a]
but the mouths of fools pour out folly. (Proverbs 15:1-2) (RSV)
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 adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs 15"1-2) (NIV)
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs 15"1-2) (NIV)
When the other person is angry, a soft and gentle answer can calm down the anger of the other person. Just remain a little silent when the other person is angry and blurting out. When the person cools off a bit, then only reply but do it gently and softly.
On the other hand, if reply harshly to the angry person, this will cause that person to increase in anger. Result will be more yelling, more heated quarrel.
The wise person speaks words of knowledge, good speech that is constructive. The words of the foolish person are of limited knowledge, vain speech, lack of wisdom.
3 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3) (NKJV)
3 3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3) (NIV)
God can see everywhere, and everyone at the same time. God can see who is bad and who is good. God can see the wrongdoings and the good deeds. God will reward those with good deeds, and punish those with bad deeds.
4 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Proverbs 1:4) (NKJV)
4 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Proverbs 1:4) (RSV)
4 4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 1:4) (NIV)
A good tongue which is wholesome, gentle and soothing will bring good life, meaningful life. Good tongue blesses other people. Good tongue brings favour from God and men. Good tongue that glorifies God will bring about eternal life.
But a perverse tongue will bring lots of trouble, argument, quarrel, discord, and disunity. Perverse will cause unhappiness and tension in life.
A good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life.
5 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent. (Proverbs 15:5) (NKJV)
5 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but he who heeds admonition is prudent. (Proverbs 15:5) (RSV)
5 5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. (Proverbs 15:5) (NIV)
A prudent person will listen to instruction and correction. A prudent is ever willing to learn from mistake and error. A prudent person is willing to correct his mistake. A prudent person is willing to repent and turn away from bad habits and sinful activities.
A foolish person will despise instruction and correction. A foolish person thinks he is right in his own eyes.
6 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. (Proverbs 15:6) (NKJV)
6 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. (Proverbs 15:6) (RSV)
6 6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin. (Proverbs 15:6) (NIV)
The righteous will continually good income, and store up the excess money. Hence, the house of the righteous contains much wealth and great treasure. But the wicked will be wasteful with his income, and his income from deceitful means and evil ways may not last forever. Income earned through improper means will bring him his own destruction.
Wednesday, Feb 13, 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:
1) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.1
2) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.2
3) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.3
4) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.4
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