Proverbs 15:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

NIV: The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

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

CSB: The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

NLT: The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.

KJV: The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

NKJV: The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

The Lord is perfectly holy. Isaiah 6:3–4 describes seraphim calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Further, Leviticus 20:7 says, "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God." First Peter 1:14–16 says, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" It pleases the Lord when His people lead a holy life. Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Surely leading a righteous life has its own reward, but what greater reward is there than to be the object of the Lord's love?

The prior verse noted that God finds the hollow gestures of those who deny His truth to be disgusting and offensive (Proverbs 15:8). Here, the same is said of the way such people live. The person who leads a life of persistent sin is guilty of doing what the Lord hates. His actions are distasteful to the Lord; the Hebrew term is often translated as "abomination." Romans 1:18 warns that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

Proverbs 15:6–12 contrasts the righteous and the wicked; in the context of the book of Proverbs, these two groups are also defined as those who are "wise" and those who are "foolish." Many of these comparisons are from God's perspective. Even good deeds and rituals performed by those who disobey God are offensive to Him. And yet, He accepts the prayers of those who sincerely seek His will. The Lord loves those who love Him, but He consigns the wicked to eternal punishment (Proverbs 10:29).

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.