Proverbs 15:31 (KJV)

Passage

The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "heareth", "reproof", "life", "abideth", and "wise". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "heareth" and "reproof", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 30's "The light of the eyes rejoiceth the..." into verse 32's "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own...", so "heareth" and "reproof" 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 "heareth" and "reproof" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.