CHAPTER 15

Proverbs 15:1-33 .

1. soft--tender or gentle.
turneth . . . wrath--from any one.
stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.

2. useth . . . aright--commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out--utters abundantly ( Proverbs 12:23 ), and so disgusts others.

3. beholding--watching (compare Proverbs 5:21 , Psalms 66:7 ).

4. A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life--( Proverbs 3:18 , 11:30 ).
perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.
breach . . . spirit--(compare Isaiah 65:14 , Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

5. (Compare Proverbs 4:1 , 10:17 , 13:1-18 ).
is prudent--acts discreetly.

6. treasure--implying utility.
trouble--vexation and affliction.

7. (Compare Proverbs 10:20 Proverbs 10:21 ).
heart . . . not so--not right, or vain.

8, 9. The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship.
way . . . followeth . . . righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psalms 50:17 , Isaiah 1:11 .

10. (Compare Proverbs 10:17 ).
the way--that in which God would have him to go ( Proverbs 2:13 , Psalms 119:1 ).

11. Hell--( Psalms 16:10 ).
destruction--or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.

12. (Compare Proverbs 9:8 ).
go unto the wise--to be instructed.

13. maketh . . . countenance--or, "benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.

14. (Compare Proverbs 10:21 Proverbs 10:22 ). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish ( Proverbs 9:9 ).

15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.

16. trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings ( Proverbs 16:18 , 1 Timothy 6:6 ).

17. dinner--or, "allowance" ( 2 Kings 25:30 )--
of herbs--and that the plainest.
and hatred--(compare Proverbs 10:12 Proverbs 10:18 ).

18. (Compare Proverbs 14:29 , 16:32 ).

19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence ( 1 Samuel 10:7 , Psalms 1:3 ).

20. (Compare Proverbs 10:1 ).

21. walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy ( Proverbs 3:6 , 10:23 ).

22. Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.

23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

24. (Compare Colossians 3:2 ). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner ( Proverbs 2:22 , 12:7 ).
border--or, "boundary for possessions" ( Psalms 78:54 ).

26. are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God ( Proverbs 8:8 Proverbs 8:9 ).

27. (Compare Proverbs 11:17 ). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts--or, "bribes" ( Exodus 23:8 , Psalms 15:5 ), and is not avaricious.

28. (Compare Proverbs 15:14 , Proverbs 10:11 ). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.

29. far . . . wicked--in His love and favor ( Psalms 22:11 , 119:155 ).

30. light of the eyes--( Proverbs 13:9 ). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so
good report--or, "doctrine" ( Isaiah 28:9 , 53:1 ),
maketh . . . fat--or, "gives prosperity" ( Proverbs 3:13-17 , 9:11 ). The last clause is illustrated by the first.

31, 32. (Compare Proverbs 10:17 ).
reproof of life--which leads to life.
abideth . . . wise--is numbered among them.

32. refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" ( Proverbs 1:25 , 4:15 ).
despiseth . . . soul--so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.

33. The fear . . . wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before . . . humility--(compare Luke 24:26 , 1 Peter 1:11 ); opposite (compare Proverbs 16:18 ).