Proverbs 15:26 kjv
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Proverbs 15:26 nkjv
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
Proverbs 15:26 niv
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
Proverbs 15:26 esv
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.
Proverbs 15:26 nlt
The LORD detests evil plans,
but he delights in pure words.
Proverbs 15 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 6:5 | The LORD saw that the wickedness of man...every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. | Wicked thoughts grieve God. |
| Ps 10:4 | In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” | Wickedness originates from inner rejection of God. |
| Ps 14:1 | The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." | Connection of internal thought to foolish impiety. |
| Ps 19:14 | Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD. | Plea for both thoughts and words to please God. |
| Ps 51:10 | Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. | Desire for inner purity, prerequisite for pure words. |
| Prov 6:18 | a heart that devises wicked plans... | Wicked plans originate from the heart. |
| Prov 11:20 | Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless way are His delight. | Direct parallel: wicked heart vs. blameless delight. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight. | Lies are abhorrent; truth is pleasing. |
| Prov 16:5 | Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD... | Arrogant heart is detestable to God. |
| Prov 16:13 | Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he loves him who speaks what is right. | Righteous words are favored by authorities. |
| Prov 24:9 | The devising of folly is sin... | Sin originates in wicked counsel/thoughts. |
| Jer 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? | Heart is the source of inner corruption. |
| Ezek 14:3 | These men have taken their idols into their hearts... | Idols can be formed in the heart (thoughts). |
| Matt 5:8 | "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." | Purity of heart leads to divine vision/favor. |
| Matt 12:34-37 | For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good person...brings forth good... | Words reveal heart's condition. |
| Matt 15:19 | For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. | Evil originates from inner thoughts. |
| Mark 7:20-23 | "What comes out of a person is what defiles him...From within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts..." | Heart's content defiles, not external things. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up. | Words should edify, reflect good character. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | Graceful, wise speech is important. |
| 1 Tim 1:5 | The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. | Purity of heart is central to godly living. |
| Jas 1:26 | If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. | Controlling the tongue reflects true religion. |
| Jas 3:10 | From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. | Words are a direct reflection of inner being. |
| Heb 4:12-13 | For the word of God is living and active...discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | God sees and judges inner thoughts/intentions. |
| 1 Pet 3:3-4 | Let your adorning be...the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit... | True beauty lies in inner spirit/heart. |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 26 Meaning
Proverbs 15:26 presents a clear contrast concerning what is acceptable to God, highlighting the preeminence of internal disposition. The verse teaches that God finds the evil intentions and schemes originating from a wicked heart utterly detestable. Conversely, He takes pleasure in and accepts the words spoken by those who are pure in heart, whose external expressions reflect inner sincerity and righteousness. This demonstrates that God values not just outward actions or rituals, but also the thoughts, motives, and character of a person.
Proverbs 15 26 Context
Proverbs 15, within the broader book of Proverbs, is a collection of contrasting pithy sayings that instruct on the nature of wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness. The chapter specifically deals with the power and effect of speech, contrasting humble responses with harsh words, and discussing the differing fates and impacts of the righteous and the wicked. Verse 26, therefore, flows naturally within this discourse by emphasizing that words (an external manifestation) are rooted in inner thoughts and intentions (an internal reality). Historically, the book of Proverbs served to train young men in Israelite wisdom, aligning their lives with God's moral order. This verse stresses that moral discernment must extend beyond outward acts to the very source of human behavior – the heart's thoughts and motives. It subtly challenges any belief that mere ritualistic observance is sufficient, emphasizing the holistic nature of God's demands for internal and external integrity.
Proverbs 15 26 Word analysis
- Thoughts (מַחְשְׁבוֹת, machshavot): More than fleeting ideas, this term signifies deliberations, intentions, plans, and devices. It speaks of the deep-seated workings of the mind and heart where purposes and schemes are formed. In biblical wisdom, the "heart" (lev) is not just the seat of emotions but the center of thought, will, and moral decision-making. Thus, "thoughts of the wicked" refer to their corrupt plans and sinful motivations.
- Wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha'): Describes those who are guilty, unrighteous, defiant towards God, and live in opposition to His laws. They are actively engaged in wrongdoing and manifest an ungodly character.
- Abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): This is a very strong Hebrew term indicating something utterly detestable, morally repugnant, and abhorrent to God. It is often used for acts of idolatry, grave sexual sin, dishonest dealings, or practices contrary to God's holiness. Applying it to thoughts signifies that internal depravity is as serious and offensive to God as overt sinful actions, highlighting His focus on the heart.
- LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed, and holy character. This signifies that God, who established the covenant with Israel, actively judges the intentions of the heart and delights in inner purity, not merely outward conformity.
- Pure (טָהוֹר, tahor): Signifies ritual or moral cleanliness, freedom from defilement, integrity, and sincerity. Here, it refers to those who are morally upright and genuine in heart before God.
- Pleasing (רָצוּי, ratzuy / נֹעַם, no'am is implied contextually): While "pleasing" captures the essence, the root idea (ratsah) means to accept, to be pleased with, or to delight in. It denotes divine favor, approval, and contentment derived from what is presented. It contrasts sharply with "abomination."
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD": This clause reveals God's deep concern for inner spiritual and moral disposition. It asserts that wicked intentions and designs, even if not fully actualized, are abhorrent to God. This elevates the moral weight of thought and intention, signifying that sin begins in the heart. God judges not only deeds but the very source from which deeds flow.
- "but the words of the pure are pleasing to Him": This contrasting clause highlights that acceptable words proceed from a pure heart. The "pure" are those who are morally clean and sincerely devoted to God. Their words are not merely eloquent or persuasive, but they are truthful, wholesome, constructive, and reflect genuine inner integrity. This demonstrates that external expressions (words) gain their value and pleasantness to God based on the inner condition of the speaker (purity). This is a call for consistency between inner being and outward expression.
Proverbs 15 26 Bonus section
This proverb illustrates a central theme throughout the Bible: God is not merely concerned with outward conformity to rules, but with the state of the human heart (1 Sam 16:7). The deep Hebrew meaning of machshavot as "calculated intentions" highlights that God hates premeditated evil. The immediate juxtaposition with "words" (a product of thought) reinforces that genuine goodness must originate internally. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom often focused on actions; however, Israelite wisdom, under divine revelation, consistently probed deeper, into motives and the source of human behavior. This verse provides a moral absolute, identifying certain internal states as universally detestable to God, contrasting them with those that receive divine favor. It implicitly encourages self-examination and repentance, recognizing that genuine spiritual transformation must begin with the mind and heart.
Proverbs 15 26 Commentary
Proverbs 15:26 is a profound statement about the nature of God and the source of true righteousness. It teaches that God sees beyond mere external appearances and actions, penetrating to the very core of a person's being: their thoughts and intentions. For the wicked, their inner plans and desires are so corrupted by evil that they are an "abomination" – something utterly repulsive and detestable to the Holy God. This is not about accidental or fleeting bad thoughts but about settled, malicious schemes that defy God's character. In stark contrast, God finds genuine delight and pleasure in the "words of the pure." This isn't about speaking fluently or beautifully, but about words that emerge from a heart cleansed and committed to Him. Such words are truthful, edifying, and reflect a righteous inner character, demonstrating that sincere internal purity finds expression in external speech that is approved by God. The verse ultimately underlines that a right relationship with God necessitates not just righteous conduct, but righteous thought.
- Example 1: A corrupt politician plans dishonest schemes to gain power. Even before he enacts them, the very thoughts of these deceptive maneuvers are an abomination to God.
- Example 2: A devout person offers heartfelt words of comfort to someone in distress. These words, flowing from a sincere and pure desire to bless, are pleasing to God, not just for their outward expression but for the pure heart from which they originated.