Proverbs 15:31-32

Context

15:31 The person¹ who hears the reproof that leads to life²

is at home³ among the wise.⁴

15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself,⁵

but whoever hears⁶ reproof acquires understanding.⁷

[15:31] ¹tn Heb “ear” (so KJV, NRSV). The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person).

[15:31] ²tn “Life” is an objective genitive: Reproof brings or preserves life. Cf. NIV “life-giving rebuke”; NLT “constructive criticism.”

[15:31] ³tn Heb “lodges.” This means to live with, to be at home with.

[15:31] ⁴sn The proverb is one full sentence; it affirms that a teachable person is among the wise.

[15:32] ⁵sn To “despise oneself” means to reject oneself as if there was little value. The one who ignores discipline is not interested in improving himself.

[15:32] ⁶tn Or “heeds” (so NAB, NIV); NASB “listens to.”

[15:32] ⁷tn The Hebrew text reads קוֹנֶה לֵּב (qoneh lev), the participle of קָנָה (qanah, “to acquire; to possess”) with its object, “heart.” The word “heart” is frequently a metonymy of subject, meaning all the capacities of the human spirit and/or mind. Here it refers to the ability to make judgments or discernment.