FEAR OF THE LORD TEACHES WISDOM

Passage: Proverbs 15:18-33

Key verse: 33

NIV

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(A)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(B)

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(C)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(D)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

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

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(F)
    but with many advisers(G) they succeed.(H)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(I)
    and how good is a timely word!(J)

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(K)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(L)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(M) of the wicked,(N)
    but gracious words are pure(O) in his sight.

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

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(Q)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(R)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(S)

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(T)

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(U)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(V)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(W)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(X)
    and humility comes before honor.(Y)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

18 (A)A hot-tempered man (B)stirs up strife,
    but he who is (C)slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of (D)a sluggard is like a hedge of (E)thorns,
    but the path of the upright is (F)a level highway.
20 (G)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (H)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding (I)walks straight ahead.
22 (J)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and (K)a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward (L)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord tears down the house of (M)the proud
    but (N)maintains (O)the widow's boundaries.
26 (P)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but (Q)gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is (R)greedy for unjust gain (S)troubles his own household,
    but he who hates (T)bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (U)ponders how to answer,
    but (V)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (W)far from the wicked,
    but he (X)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 (Y)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and (Z)good news refreshes[a] the bones.
31 (AA)The ear that listens to (AB)life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever (AC)ignores instruction (AD)despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof (AE)gains intelligence.
33 (AF)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and (AG)humility comes before honor.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The path of life leads upward for the prudent (18-25) The prudent are patient and avoid quarrels; their path is clear and straight (18-19, 21). They respect their parents and seek out advice and follow it (2 , 22). They carefully give an apt reply (23). Their path leads to life, for they humbly trust in the Lord when they are vulnerable (24, 25). 2. Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord (26-33) The righteous are gracious and speak carefully and prayerfully, sharing good news (26, 28-3 ); the wicked rely on bribes (27). A wise man listens to a life-giving rebuke (31). God gives wisdom to those who fear him and learn with humble hearts (32,33). Paradoxically, humility comes before honor (33).

Prayer: Lord, help me to fear you; give me a humble heart and a learning mind.

One Word: The fear of the Lord imparts wisdom