Proverbs 15
A soft answer turns away wrath 1
Hell, happiness and the hearts of men 11
Few possessions with the fear of the Lord is better than wealth 16
Text
Explanation
.1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
.2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
.3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
.5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
  1 - Soft Underline this one! See the tact of Abigail 1sa2518.
  3 - Eyes ... beholding  Or "eyes ... keeping watch." God understands and cares for us.
  4 - A wholesome tongue Literally "the healing tongue." Kind words are a blessing to all who hear them. I have not been healing in my words. The Lord has helped me. ja0301.
 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
.8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
 10  Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
  7 - Lips ... disperse Selfishness is often seen. The US copyright laws are a good example. They have been rewritten to protect big companys like Disney. Those who create knowledge need to be fairly compensated but they also need to remember that all wisdom comes from the Lord and is only lent to us as stewards for helping humanity.
  8 - The principle about forms of worship.
.11  Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
 12  A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
 13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
 14  The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
 15  All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
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  11 - Hell From she'ol, Translated "grave" 31 times and "hell" 31 and "pit" 6 in the KJV. The origin of the word is uncertain although some suggest it came from a source meaning "to be hollow." By looking at the occurrences we see it as a figurative expression for the place people go when they die. ge3735, 1sa0206, jb0709, ps04914.
Comments begin  at the left below the text
 Although "grave" is the general idea of the word, Bible writers use other descriptions perhaps fitting what they are saying about death in the context. It is a place where the dead sleep together 2sa1223 although unconscious ec0905,6. Ezekiel used a figurative expression ez3221. It is said to have bars jb1716 and gates is3810. It is deep while heaven is high de3222, jb1108, ps08613, ps13908. Nowhere is it seen as a place of punishment after death. In the NT, hades is eqivalent to she'ol. Only in Luke 16:22-26lu does hades describe punishment after death. This interesting story from Jesus is discussed at length. See lu16b. Mark uses gehenna to describe the fate of the finall wicked mr0943.
  11 - Destruction 'abaddon. From the Hebrew root word abad. "to stray" or "to perish." Also jb2606.
  13 - Merry From older English meaning "light and peace."
  15 - Feast with a forgiving heart of peace. ps02305.
.16  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
 17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
 18  A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19  The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
.20  A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
  16 - Better is little Wealth and power corrupt most people. We may look forward to the riches of heaven 1ti0606. The gambling in the lottery is a temptation to many. Winners soon have it all spent and losers lose it to start with. Our focus should be on not what we can grab for ourselves but what we can share with others and in the the work of spreading the good news of salvation.
  19 - Way ... made plain It is smoothed out.
  20 - Despiseth his mother Only by an uncommonly degraded person pr1001.
 21  Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
.22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
.23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
 24  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
 25  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
  23 - Word spoken ... good The other side of the situation of v4.
  25 - Establish ... widow We are reminded of the promise of Jesus in jn1401.
 26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
 27  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
 28  The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
.29  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
 30  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
 31  The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
 32  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
.33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
  26 - Thoughts of the wicked Thoughts are judged.
  33 - Before honor The Lord has promised to exalt the humble but not often in this life ja0410.
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