Proverbs 15:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

NIV: The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

NASB: The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

CSB: The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

NLT: The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

KJV: The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

NKJV: The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

This relates to the proverb contained in verse 2, which distinguishes between a wise tongue and one that "pours out folly" (Proverbs 15:2). It also reflects the principle given in verse 18 which commends being "slow to anger" (Proverbs 15:18). Righteousness, wisdom, humility, and self-control are closely tied together in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:19; 11:2). A righteous person does not blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, he carefully considers what to say, so that his answer will be right and honoring to the Lord (Proverbs 15:23).

Unlike the righteous person who ponders an answer before he gives it, the wicked person carelessly pours out words. The term translated "evil" here does not just refer to immorality, but also to disaster and misfortune. Careless answers can mislead others and cause them harm. Like a polluted water source, the person who speaks without thinking pollutes his environment.

Taking time to prepare an answer is in keeping with the admonition James gives in James 1:19: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak." Often, there is more than one side to a situation (Proverbs 18:17). It is important, therefore, to gather as much information as possible before giving an answer (Proverbs 15:22). That does not have to come only after a question is asked; it can refer to preparation as well. It honors the Lord to be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15).

Proverbs 15:13–30 continues Solomon's contrasting descriptions of the wise and the foolish. In this book, those ideas are associated with accepting or rejecting God's truth, respectively (Proverbs 1:7). He writes about the gladness of the upright, wise person and the depressing existence of the wicked, foolish person. He contrasts attitudes, thoughts, and actions of both kinds of individuals, and he states that the Lord is far from the wicked but close enough to the righteous to hear their prayers.

Solomon begins this chapter of Proverbs by addressing subjects such as anger and self-control and how those reactions produce different responses from others. That extends to how carefully a person guards their words, and their responses to questions. Wise people seek wisdom and humbly accept it. Foolish people are careless, lazy, or arrogant. Solomon also notes the importance of perspective, and once again commends those who sincerely seek godly wisdom.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.