Proverbs 15:8 (ASV)

Passage

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Proverbs 15:10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; [And] he that hateth reproof shall die.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "light", "sacrifice", "wicked", "abomination", "jehovah", "prayer", "upright", and "delight". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "light" and "sacrifice", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge..." into verse 9's "The way of the wicked is an...", so "light" and "sacrifice" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "light" and "sacrifice" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.