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A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:5 tn Heb “is prudent” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV); NCV, NLT “is wise.” Anyone who accepts correction or rebuke will become prudent in life.

An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,
But he who keeps reproof is prudent.

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10 Severe discipline[a] is for the one who abandons the way;
the one who hates reproof[b] will die.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:10 tn The two lines are parallel synonymously, so the “severe discipline” of the first colon is parallel to “will die” of the second. The expression מוּסָר רָע (musar raʿ, “severe discipline”) indicates a discipline that is catastrophic or harmful to life.
  2. Proverbs 15:10 sn If this line and the previous line are synonymous, then the one who abandons the way also refuses any correction, and so there is severe punishment. To abandon the way means to leave the life of righteousness which is the repeated subject of the book of Proverbs.

10 Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.

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12 The scorner will not love[a] one who corrects him;[b]
he will not go to[c] the wise.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:12 tn The verb אָהֵב (ʾahev, “to love”) is stative, so its imperfect form should be future tense.sn This is an understatement, the opposite being intended (a figure called tapeinosis). A scorner rejects any efforts to reform him.
  2. Proverbs 15:12 tn The form הוֹכֵחַ (hokheakh) is a Hiphil infinitive absolute. It could function as the object of the verb (cf. NIV, NRSV) or as a finite verb (cf. KJV, NASB, NLT). The latter has been chosen here because of the prepositional phrase following it, although that is not a conclusive argument.
  3. Proverbs 15:12 tc The MT has אֶל (ʾel, “to [the wise]”), suggesting seeking the advice of the wise. The LXX, however, has “with the wise,” suggesting אֶת (ʾet).

12 A (A)scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.

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22 Plans fail[a] when there is no counsel,
but with abundant advisers they are established.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:22 tn Heb “go wrong” (so NRSV, NLT). The verb is the Hiphil infinitive absolute from פָּרַר, parar, which means “to break; to frustrate; to go wrong” (HALOT 975 s.v. I פרר 2). The plans are made ineffectual or are frustrated when there is insufficient counsel.
  2. Proverbs 15:22 sn The proverb says essentially the same thing as 11:14, but differently.

22 Without consultation, [a]plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [b]succeed.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:22 Lit thoughts
  2. Proverbs 15:22 Or are established

31 The person[a] who hears the reproof that leads to life[b]
is at home[c] among the wise.[d]
32 The one who refuses correction despises himself,[e]
but whoever listens to[f] reproof acquires understanding.[g]
33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction,[h]
and before honor comes humility.[i]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:31 tn Heb “ear” (so KJV, NRSV). The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person).
  2. Proverbs 15:31 tn “Life” is an objective genitive: Reproof brings or preserves life. Cf. NIV “life-giving rebuke”; NLT “constructive criticism.”
  3. Proverbs 15:31 tn Heb “lodges.” This means to live with, to be at home with.
  4. Proverbs 15:31 sn The proverb is one full sentence; it affirms that a teachable person is among the wise.
  5. Proverbs 15:32 sn To “despise oneself” means to reject oneself as if there was little value. The one who ignores discipline is not interested in improving himself.
  6. Proverbs 15:32 tn The nuances of שָׁמַע (shamaʿ) include hearing and obeying or carrying out what was said. Cf. “heeds” so NAB, NIV, NKJV, NRSV.
  7. Proverbs 15:32 tn The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense.
  8. Proverbs 15:33 tn Heb “[is] instruction of wisdom” (KJV and NASB similar). The noun translated “wisdom” is an attributive genitive: “wise instruction.”sn The idea of the first line is similar to Prov 1:7 and 9:10. Here it may mean that the fear of the Lord results from the discipline of wisdom, just as easily as it may mean that the fear of the Lord leads to the discipline of wisdom. The second reading harmonizes with the theme in the book that the fear of the Lord is the starting point.
  9. Proverbs 15:33 tn Heb “[is] humility” (so KJV). The second clause is a parallel idea in that it stresses how one thing leads to another—humility to honor. Humble submission in faith to the Lord brings wisdom and honor.

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will lodge among the wise.
32 He who (A)neglects discipline (B)despises his soul,
But he who (C)listens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.
33 The [a]fear of Yahweh is the discipline [b]leading to wisdom,
And before glory comes humility.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:33 Or reverence
  2. Proverbs 15:33 Lit of