Proverbs 15:31-33

15:31 The person ¹  who hears the reproof that leads to life ² 

is at home ³  among the wise. ⁴ 

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

but whoever hears ⁶  reproof acquires understanding. ⁷ 

15:33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction, ⁸ 

and before honor comes humility. ⁹ 

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

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

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

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

[15:32]  ⁵ 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.

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

[15:32]  ⁷ tn 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.

[15:33]  ⁸ tn Heb “[is] instruction of wisdom” (KJV and NASB similar). The noun translated “wisdom” is an attributive genitive: “wise instruction.”

[15:33]  ⁹ 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.