Proverbs 15:5
New International Version
A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

New Living Translation
Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.

English Standard Version
A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Berean Standard Bible
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

King James Bible
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

New King James Version
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

New American Standard Bible
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.

NASB 1995
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

NASB 1977
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is prudent.

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

Amplified Bible
A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction, But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.

Christian Standard Bible
A fool despises his father’s discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A fool despises his father’s discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

American Standard Version
A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

Contemporary English Version
Don't be a fool and disobey your parents. Be smart! Accept correction.

English Revised Version
A fool despiseth his father's correction: but he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A stubborn fool despises his father's discipline, but whoever appreciates a warning shows good sense.

Good News Translation
It is foolish to ignore what your parents taught you; it is wise to accept their correction.

International Standard Version
A fool rejects his father's instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

Majority Standard Bible
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

NET Bible
A fool rejects his father's discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.

New Heart English Bible
A fool despises his father's correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

Webster's Bible Translation
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

World English Bible
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A fool despises the instruction of his father, "" And whoever is regarding reproof is prudent.

Young's Literal Translation
A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

Smith's Literal Translation
The foolish will deride his father's instruction: and he watching reproof will be crafty.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A fool laughs at the discipline of his father. But whoever preserves rebukes will become astute. In abundant justice, there is very great virtue. But the intentions of the impious will be eradicated.

New American Bible
The fool spurns a father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

New Revised Standard Version
A fool despises a parent’s instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A fool mocks his father's instruction; but he who regards reproof is prudent.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A fool mocks at the instruction of his father and he that is smart keeps reproof.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A fool scorns his father's instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. 6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.…

Cross References
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 10:17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

Proverbs 9:8-9
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. / Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5-6
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.

fool

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 13:1,18
A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke…

1 Samuel 2:23-25
And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people…

but

Proverbs 15:31,32
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise…

Proverbs 1:23
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

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Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














A fool
The term "fool" in Hebrew is "כְּסִיל" (kesil), which often refers to someone who is morally deficient rather than intellectually lacking. In the biblical context, a fool is someone who disregards wisdom and instruction, choosing instead to follow their own misguided path. This word is used throughout Proverbs to describe individuals who are resistant to God’s guidance and who live in a way that is contrary to His will. The fool's rejection of wisdom is not just a personal failing but a spiritual one, as it reflects a heart that is closed to divine truth.

rejects
The Hebrew word for "rejects" is "נָאַץ" (na'ats), which means to spurn, despise, or treat with contempt. This word conveys a strong sense of willful disregard and disrespect. In the context of this verse, it highlights the active choice of the fool to dismiss the valuable guidance offered by a father. This rejection is not passive but a deliberate act of defiance against authority and wisdom, which ultimately leads to one's downfall.

his father’s discipline
The phrase "his father’s discipline" refers to the instruction and correction provided by a father figure. In ancient Israelite culture, the father was seen as the primary educator and moral guide for his children. The Hebrew word for "discipline" is "מוּסָר" (musar), which encompasses correction, instruction, and training. This discipline is intended to guide the child in the way of righteousness and wisdom, reflecting the father’s love and concern for the child’s well-being. Rejecting such discipline is tantamount to rejecting the foundational principles of a godly life.

but whoever heeds correction
The phrase "whoever heeds correction" contrasts the fool with the wise individual who listens to and accepts reproof. The Hebrew word for "heeds" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), meaning to hear, listen, or obey. This implies an active engagement with the instruction given, not just passive hearing. "Correction" in Hebrew is "תּוֹכַחַת" (tokhahat), which involves reproof or rebuke aimed at bringing about improvement. The wise person values correction as a means of growth and maturity, understanding that it is through such guidance that one becomes more aligned with God’s will.

is prudent
The word "prudent" in Hebrew is "עָרוּם" (arum), which denotes shrewdness, wisdom, and insight. A prudent person is one who is discerning and makes decisions based on understanding and foresight. In the biblical sense, prudence is closely linked to wisdom and the fear of the Lord. It is the ability to navigate life’s complexities with a heart attuned to God’s truth. The prudent individual recognizes the value of correction and uses it as a tool for personal and spiritual development, ultimately leading to a life that honors God.

(5) A fool ('evil).--See above, on Proverbs 1:7.

Verse 5. - A fool despiseth his father's instruction (Proverbs 10:1): but he that regardeth reproof is prudent (Proverbs 19:25). The son who attends to his father's reproof dealeth prudently, or becomes wiser. Astutior fiet, Vulgate; πανουργότερος, Septuagint. The Vulgate has here a distich which is not in the Hebrew, but a similar paragraph is found in the Septuagint. Thus Vulgate, "In the abundance of righteousness virtue is greatest; but the imaginations of the wicked shall be rooted up;" Septuagint, "In the abundance of righteousness is much strength; but the impious shall be destroyed from the very root." The addition seems to have been an explanation of the following verse, which has been foisted into the text here.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A fool
אֱוִ֗יל (’ĕ·wîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 191: Foolish

rejects
יִ֭נְאַץ (yin·’aṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5006: To spurn, treat with contempt

his father’s
אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

discipline,
מוּסַ֣ר (mū·sar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4148: Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint

but whoever heeds
וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר (wə·šō·mêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

correction
תּוֹכַ֣חַת (tō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8433: Chastisement, correction, refutation, proof

is prudent.
יַעְרִֽם׃ (ya‘·rim)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6191: To be, bare, to be cunning


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's correction (Prov. Pro Pr)
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