Read & explore together
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
Proverbs 15 gathers short sayings about speech, correction, inner attitudes and the fear of Yahweh. The chapter keeps comparing two paths, showing how words, choices and responses to reproof reveal wisdom or folly.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is a chapter of wisdom sayings. Within these verses, speech, knowledge, anger, prayer, plans, correction and humility are repeatedly set side by side with their opposites. Yahweh sees human behaviour and hearts, and the sayings urge the reader toward wisdom, righteousness and the fear of Yahweh.
Proverbs 15:1–33Main takeaway
Proverbs 15 teaches that wise people speak gently, receive correction, seek what is right, and live in humble fear of Yahweh.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Words can calm or inflameThe chapter begins with speech. A gentle answer can turn away wrath, while a harsh word stirs anger.
Explanation
The chapter begins with speech. A gentle answer can turn away wrath, while a harsh word stirs anger. Wise speech spreads knowledge, but fools pour out folly. Gentle speech is called a tree of life, while deceit crushes the spirit. These sayings treat words as powerful and morally significant.
02Yahweh sees beyond appearancesThe sayings then stress that Yahweh sees everything, including human hearts. His eyes watch evil and good, and even Sheol and Abaddon are before him.
Explanation
The sayings then stress that Yahweh sees everything, including human hearts. His eyes watch evil and good, and even Sheol and Abaddon are before him. Because of this, outward religion is not enough. The sacrifice of the wicked is rejected, while the prayer of the upright is his delight.
03Correction, contentment and counselMany verses describe wisdom as teachability. A fool despises correction, but the prudent heed reproof.
Explanation
Many verses describe wisdom as teachability. A fool despises correction, but the prudent heed reproof. Better things are measured by character, not size: little with the fear of Yahweh is better than treasure with trouble, and a simple meal with love is better than rich food with hatred. Plans also need counsel.
04A weighed answer and a humble lifeLater sayings return to speech and finish with character. The righteous weigh their answers, but the wicked gush out evil.
Explanation
Later sayings return to speech and finish with character. The righteous weigh their answers, but the wicked gush out evil. Yahweh hears the prayer of the righteous. Listening to reproof brings understanding, and the chapter ends by linking wisdom with the fear of Yahweh and honour with humility.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrasts do you notice between a gentle answer and a harsh word in the opening verses?
Look at how these verses connect speech with anger, knowledge, folly and the effect words have on other people.
02According to this chapter, why does correction matter so much?
Trace the verses that mention reproof, correction, discipline and listening, and notice the different outcomes they describe.
03How does the last verse sum up the chapter’s teaching about wisdom?
Read the final saying alongside the verses about prayer, righteousness and weighed answers to see what kind of person Proverbs commends.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 15:1–33
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.
17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.