Proverbs 15:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

NIV: Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

NASB: Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

CSB: Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

NLT: Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

KJV: Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

NKJV: Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

A frequent command in the book of Proverbs is to seek and apply good advice (Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 19:20; 20:18). Making plans rashly, or without seeking useful input from others, implies someone with an exalted opinion of himself. No one can see all possible facets of a situation by himself; he needs to gain the perspectives of others (Proverbs 18:17; 27:17).

Moses' father-in-law Jethro wisely advised Moses to surround himself with "able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place them over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times" (Exodus 18:21–22). The Lord has blessed the church with gifted individuals who can offer sound counsel so the church can succeed in its mission (Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:11–14; 1 Peter 4:8–11). If a leader in the church fails to avail himself of the counsel of gifted members of the congregation, his plans are doomed from the start.

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.

Chapter 10 began a long list of Solomon's wise sayings. This passage continues to emphasize common themes such as hard work, humility, godly wisdom, and self-control. This extended collection of proverbs continues through much of chapter 22.

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.

Accessed 5/6/2024 9:27:50 AM