Proverbs 15:9
New International Version
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

New Living Translation
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.

English Standard Version
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

King James Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

New King James Version
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

New American Standard Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

NASB 1995
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

NASB 1977
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who pursues righteousness.

Legacy Standard Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.

Amplified Bible
The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

American Standard Version
The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD is disgusted with all who do wrong, but he loves everyone who does right.

English Revised Version
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The way of wicked people is disgusting to the LORD, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

Good News Translation
The LORD hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.

International Standard Version
The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

NET Bible
The LORD abhors the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

New Heart English Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

Webster's Bible Translation
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

World English Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The way of the wicked [is] an abomination to YHWH, "" And He loves whoever is pursuing righteousness.

Young's Literal Translation
An abomination to Jehovah is the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.

Smith's Literal Translation
The way of the unjust an abomination of Jehovah: and he will love him pursuing justice.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The way of the impious is an abomination to the Lord. Whoever pursues justice is loved by him.

New American Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves one who pursues justice.

New Revised Standard Version
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH despises the way of the evil and he shows mercy to him who practices righteousness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; But He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
8The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. 10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.…

Cross References
Psalm 11:5
The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 146:8
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

Isaiah 1:16-17
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.


Treasury of Scripture

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.

the way

Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 21:4,8
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin…

Psalm 1:6
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

he loveth

Proverbs 21:21
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Isaiah 26:7
The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

Isaiah 51:1,7
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged…

Jump to Previous
Abomination Dear Detests Disgusting Evil-Doer Followeth Follows Goes Loves Pursue Pursues Pursueth Pursuing Righteousness Way Wicked
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Abomination Dear Detests Disgusting Evil-Doer Followeth Follows Goes Loves Pursue Pursues Pursueth Pursuing Righteousness Way Wicked
Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














The LORD detests
The Hebrew word for "detests" is "תּוֹעֲבַת" (to'evah), which conveys a strong sense of abomination or loathing. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's reaction to idolatry and moral corruption. The use of "detests" here emphasizes the intensity of God's moral standards and His absolute holiness. It is a reminder that God is not indifferent to sin; rather, He has a profound aversion to it. This serves as a call for believers to align their lives with God's standards, understanding that His detestation is not arbitrary but rooted in His perfect nature.

the way of the wicked
The "way" refers to the path or lifestyle that one chooses. In Hebrew, "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh) implies a journey or manner of living. The "wicked" are those who live in opposition to God's commandments, often characterized by selfishness, injustice, and rebellion. Historically, the wicked were those who turned away from the covenant relationship with God, choosing instead to follow their own desires. This phrase serves as a warning that a life lived apart from God's guidance leads to His disfavor and ultimately to destruction.

but He loves
The contrast introduced by "but" highlights the difference in God's response to the wicked versus the righteous. The Hebrew word for "loves" is "אָהֵב" (ahev), which denotes a deep, covenantal affection. God's love is not merely an emotional response but a committed, active choice to bless and favor those who align with His will. This love is a reflection of His character, which is inherently good and just. It reassures believers that their efforts to live righteously are not in vain but are met with divine approval and affection.

those who pursue righteousness
"Pursue" in Hebrew is "רָדַף" (radaf), meaning to chase or follow eagerly. This implies an active, intentional effort to live according to God's standards. "Righteousness" is "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah), which encompasses justice, ethical conduct, and faithfulness to God's law. In the biblical context, righteousness is not merely about personal morality but involves social justice and right relationships with others. This phrase encourages believers to actively seek God's ways, promising that such a pursuit aligns them with His love and favor. It is a call to a life of integrity, reflecting God's character in every aspect of one's life.

Verse 9. - This verse gives the reason for the treatment specified in the preceding verse (comp. Proverbs 11:20; Proverbs 12:22). Followeth after; chaseth, implying effort and perseverance, as in the pursuit of game (Proverbs 11:19; Proverbs 21:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

detests
תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת (tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

the way
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of the wicked,
רָשָׁ֑ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

but He loves
יֶאֱהָֽב׃ (ye·’ĕ·hāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

those who pursue
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף (ū·mə·rad·dêp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

righteousness.
צְדָקָ֣ה (ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked (Prov. Pro Pr)
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