Proverbs 15:32-33

15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself, ¹ 

but whoever hears ²  reproof acquires understanding. ³ 

15:33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction, ⁴ 

and before honor comes humility. ⁵ 

[15:32]  ¹ 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]  ² tn Or “heeds” (so NAB, NIV); NASB “listens to.”

[15:32]  ³ 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]  ⁴ tn Heb “[is] instruction of wisdom” (KJV and NASB similar). The noun translated “wisdom” is an attributive genitive: “wise instruction.”

[15:33]  ⁵ 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.