Proverbs 15:32 (GNV)

Passage

Hee that refuseth instruction, despiseth his owne soule: but he that obeyeth correction, getteth vnderstanding.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes reioyceth the heart, and a good name maketh the bones fat.

Proverbs 15:31 The eare that hearkeneth to the correction of life, shall lodge among the wise.

Proverbs 15:32 Hee that refuseth instruction, despiseth his owne soule: but he that obeyeth correction, getteth vnderstanding.

Proverbs 15:33 The feare of the Lord is the instruction of wisdome: and before honour, goeth humilitie.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "refuseth", "instruction", "despiseth", "owne", "soule", "obeyeth", "correction", and "getteth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "refuseth" and "instruction", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 31's "The eare that hearkeneth to the correction..." into verse 33's "The feare of the Lord is the...", so "refuseth" and "instruction" 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 "refuseth" and "instruction" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.