Proverbs 15:9 (KJV)

Passage

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Nearby Context

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 the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wicked", "abomination", "lord", "loveth", "followeth", "after", and "righteousness". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wicked" and "abomination", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "The sacrifice of the wicked is an..." into verse 10's "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh...", so "wicked" and "abomination" 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 "wicked" and "abomination" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.