Proverbs 13:15 kjv

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Proverbs 13:15 nkjv

Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Proverbs 13:15 niv

Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

Proverbs 13:15 esv

Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.

Proverbs 13:15 nlt

A person with good sense is respected;
a treacherous person is headed for destruction.

Proverbs 13 verses

Proverbs 13 15 Meaning

Good understanding, which is practical wisdom derived from God's instruction, leads to favor and positive outcomes in life. Conversely, the path chosen by those who are disloyal, treacherous, and unfaithful will inevitably be hard, difficult, and ultimately destructive. This verse highlights the foundational biblical principle of consequences directly linked to moral conduct.

Proverbs 13 15 Context

Proverbs chapter 13 focuses on the outcomes of righteousness versus wickedness, diligence versus idleness, and humility versus pride. It contrasts the path of the wise, who accept instruction and fear the Lord, with that of the foolish, who disregard wisdom. This verse (13:15) functions as a proverbial antithetical couplet, a common literary form in Proverbs, starkly highlighting the diverging fates and experiences of those who choose discerning wisdom versus those who act treacherously. The broader context of wisdom literature in ancient Israel aimed to instill in its audience the understanding that there are inherent, divinely established consequences woven into the fabric of creation that align with moral conduct, shaping one's life experiences both materially and spiritually.

Proverbs 13 15 Word analysis

• Good understanding (Hebrew: שֵׂכֶל טוֹב - sekhel tov):

  • שֵׂכֶל (sekhel): More than just intellectual capacity; it signifies practical insight, discernment, sound judgment, prudence, and skillful application of knowledge. It's the ability to grasp the true nature of things, make wise decisions, and manage one's life affairs effectively according to God's standards.
  • טוֹב (tov): Means good, pleasant, beneficial.
  • Combined, sekhel tov refers to moral wisdom that enables one to navigate life righteously and successfully, aligning with God's design. It implies spiritual acumen.

• gains favor (Hebrew: יִתֶּן־חֵן - yitten-chen):

  • יִתֶּן (yitten): "It gives," "it bestows."
  • חֵן (chen): Grace, favor, charm, acceptance. This favor can be from God (Ps 84:11), from other people (Prov 3:4; Gen 39:21), or can refer to the intrinsic attractiveness of the wise person's character. It implies positive reception and beneficial relationships.

• but (Hebrew: וְ - ve): A conjunction introducing a contrast, a common feature in Proverbs for antithetical parallelism.

• the way (Hebrew: דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): A very common biblical metaphor referring to one's conduct, course of life, moral character, or chosen path. It represents not just physical movement but the direction and nature of one's entire existence and behavior.

• of the treacherous (Hebrew: בֹּגְדִים - bogedim):

  • From the root bagad, meaning to deal faithlessly, unfaithfully, perfidiously, deceitfully, or treacherously. These are individuals who break covenant, betray trust (human or divine), and act disloyally, particularly against God or ethical principles. They are unreliable and morally bankrupt.

• is hard (Hebrew: אֵיתָן - etan):

  • This word carries multiple meanings but in this context signifies severe, rugged, difficult, unyielding, or troublesome. It portrays a path fraught with obstacles, suffering, distress, barrenness, and lacking the smoothness and prosperity that wisdom brings. It implies persistent and often insufferable trouble as an inevitable consequence. Some scholars connect etan to the idea of "constant" or "enduring," thus implying an enduring, unchanging hardness for the treacherous.

• "Good understanding gains favor": This phrase underscores the inherent reward for wisdom and righteous living. Divine wisdom, when applied practically, beautifies a person's character and conduct, making them appealing to God and respectable among people. This isn't merely human charisma but a God-given spiritual favor.

• "but the way of the treacherous is hard": This sharply contrasts the effortless reception of favor with the burdensome journey of disloyalty. Treachery, being antithetical to God's nature and covenant, creates a path of inherent difficulty, conflict, and judgment. It leads to frustration, struggle, and eventual ruin. This difficulty arises not from external forces alone, but from the internal moral corruption that poisons all relationships and efforts.

Proverbs 13 15 Bonus section

• The word etan for "hard" is significant; it can also denote something constant or enduring. This suggests that the "hardness" of the treacherous path is not merely a momentary difficulty but a persistent, unrelenting, and inescapable characteristic of their life's journey, potentially enduring until ultimate destruction.
• The principle here goes beyond mere natural consequences to suggest a divine enforcement; God's justice is woven into the moral fabric of creation such that one's behavior directly determines the nature of their path.
• The contrast between sekhel tov (good understanding) and the derekh bogedim (way of the treacherous) highlights wisdom's role in guiding one's conduct and shaping destiny, as opposed to foolishness and wickedness which inevitably lead to suffering.

Proverbs 13 15 Commentary

Proverbs 13:15 provides a clear moral economy: good character leads to good outcomes, and bad character leads to bad outcomes. "Good understanding" refers to sagacious, ethical discernment—a wisdom that perceives truth, acts righteously, and is rooted in the fear of the Lord. Such practical wisdom attracts "favor" not only from God but often from humanity as well, opening doors to opportunities, positive relationships, and success in endeavors. This is not a simplistic formula for prosperity gospel but rather the natural and divinely ordained outworking of living in harmony with God's principles. Conversely, "the way of the treacherous" describes a lifestyle characterized by deceit, unfaithfulness, and betrayal—actions that violate trust and moral integrity. This path is inherently "hard" or difficult, not necessarily in the sense of external physical hardship only, but because it brings about isolation, conflict, guilt, and ultimate failure. Treachery inherently destroys relationships, incurs divine displeasure, and results in a life devoid of true peace or security, often leading to internal distress and external misfortune. The verse serves as a fundamental exhortation: choose wisdom for a life of favor, shun treachery for a life free from pervasive hardship.