Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 15:1-15: Speech, Attitude, and God's Role

This passage begins with how a gentle answer can turn away wrath, while harsh words stir up anger, underscoring the importance of a calm and controlled tongue. Each proverb offers a treasure trove of guidance on how humility, a calm spirit, and a joyful heart help us in our daily interactions. Whether seeking to mend relationships, enhance personal growth, or understand divine oversight, this passage provides pivotal insights for a harmonious and spiritually enriched life.

The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI & Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 15:1-15.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

Proverbs 15:1-15

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
²The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
³The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
⁴A gentle^[a] tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
⁵A fool despises his father’s instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
⁶In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the hearts of fools.^[b]
⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
⁹The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    whoever hates reproof will die.
¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more the hearts of the children of man!
¹²A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
¹³A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
¹⁴The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

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Footnotes

Proverbs 15:4 Or healing
Proverbs 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe

Native North Carolinian Rev. Dr. Phil Booe serves pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio. His parishioners probably think he can’t teach Bible study without a mug of coffee in his hand, and he’ll always be happy to eat a plate of sushi. When he’s not shepherding his flock or teaching on the radio, you might find him watching bad movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and especially binging RiffTrax and MST3K episodes. Some day he’d love to travel to the Lutheran homeland in Germany, but for now he spends time in Minnesota with his wife, son, daughter, and cat, and looks forward to Holy Week every year.