FEAR THE LORD
Key verse: 33
NIV
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.
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)
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(P)
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)
Cross references
- Proverbs 15:18 : S Pr 6:16-19; S 14:17
- Proverbs 15:18 : S Ge 13:8
- Proverbs 15:19 : Pr 22:5
- Proverbs 15:20 : S Pr 10:1
- Proverbs 15:21 : S Pr 2:14
- Proverbs 15:22 : S Ps 16:7
- Proverbs 15:22 : 1Ki 1:12; Pr 24:6
- Proverbs 15:22 : S Pr 11:14
- Proverbs 15:23 : S Pr 12:14
- Proverbs 15:23 : Pr 25:11
- Proverbs 15:25 : S Pr 12:7
- Proverbs 15:25 : S Dt 19:14; Pr 23:10-11
- Proverbs 15:26 : S Ps 94:11
- Proverbs 15:26 : S Pr 6:16
- Proverbs 15:26 : S Ps 18:26
- Proverbs 15:27 : S Ex 23:8; S Ps 15:5; Isa 1:23; 33:15
- Proverbs 15:28 : S Pr 14:8
- Proverbs 15:28 : S Ps 59:7
- Proverbs 15:29 : S ver 8; S Job 15:31; Ps 145:18-19; Isa 59:2; S Jn 9:31
- Proverbs 15:30 : Pr 25:25
- Proverbs 15:31 : S Pr 9:7-9; S 12:1
- Proverbs 15:32 : S Pr 1:7; S 12:1
- Proverbs 15:32 : S Pr 9:7-9; S 12:1; Ecc 7:5
- Proverbs 15:33 : S Pr 1:7
- Proverbs 15:33 : Pr 16:18; 18:12; 22:4; 29:23; Isa 66:2
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat
Cross references
- Proverbs 15:18 : ch. 29:22; [ch. 16:28; 26:21]
- Proverbs 15:18 : ch. 28:25
- Proverbs 15:18 : See ch. 14:29
- Proverbs 15:19 : ch. 19:24; 22:13
- Proverbs 15:19 : ch. 22:5
- Proverbs 15:19 : Jer. 18:15
- Proverbs 15:20 : See ch. 29:3
- Proverbs 15:21 : ch. 10:23
- Proverbs 15:21 : [Eph. 5:15]
- Proverbs 15:22 : ch. 11:14; [ch. 20:18]
- Proverbs 15:23 : ch. 25:11; [Isa. 50:4]
- Proverbs 15:24 : Col. 3:1, 2; [ch. 2:18, 19; Phil. 3:20]
- Proverbs 15:25 : [ch. 29:23]
- Proverbs 15:25 : [ch. 23:10]
- Proverbs 15:25 : [Ps. 68:5; 146:9]
- Proverbs 15:26 : ch. 6:16, 18
- Proverbs 15:26 : ch. 16:24
- Proverbs 15:27 : ch. 1:19; [Isa. 5:8; Jer. 17:11]
- Proverbs 15:27 : ch. 11:29; [Josh. 7:25]
- Proverbs 15:27 : ch. 17:23
- Proverbs 15:28 : Ps. 37:30
- Proverbs 15:28 : [1 Pet. 3:15]; See ver. 2
- Proverbs 15:29 : [Ps. 18:41; 34:16]
- Proverbs 15:29 : Ps. 145:18, 19; [ver. 8]
- Proverbs 15:30 : Ps. 38:10
- Proverbs 15:30 : [ch. 25:25]
- Proverbs 15:31 : ver. 5; ch. 20:12; 25:12
- Proverbs 15:31 : [ch. 6:23]
- Proverbs 15:32 : [ch. 8:33]
- Proverbs 15:32 : See ch. 8:36
- Proverbs 15:32 : [ch. 19:8]
- Proverbs 15:33 : See ch. 1:7
- Proverbs 15:33 : ch. 18:12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The book of Proverbs contains much wisdom meant to be applied to our everyday life. Whether the wisdom is about controlling our temper (18), not being lazy (19a), honoring our parents (20), or finding many advisers (22), these principles - when lived out - can have a positive impact on our life. However, Proverbs are intended for more than only bringing success in our earthly life. Putting into practice the wisdom of Proverbs can set our path of life on an upward trajectory, towards the LORD, instead of one that leads downwards, towards death (24).
True wisdom leads us to fear the LORD. This theme is repeated several times in Proverbs (1:7, 9:10, 15:33). To fear the LORD is to be humble before God (33). The LORD opposes the proud (25a) but honors the humble (33b). Those who are humble accept life-giving correction (31,32). The LORD knows our thoughts and detests the thoughts of the wicked (26a). He is far from the wicked (29a). The LORD protects widows from the schemes of the proud (25b). He is pleased when we speak gracious words. The LORD also hears the prayers of the righteous (29b).
Prayer: Father, thank you for the book of Proverbs. May your word direct my path toward you. Help me to know and fear you more.
One Word: Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD