箴言十五及十六章的經文中，多次地探討到「自我節制」這個重要的課題（16：32），尤其是關於口舌方面的節制。因為唯有智者與強者才能勝過口舌的節制，而大多數人常常無法在這方面自我駕馭。無益和傷害人的言語，卻常輕易地從性情不節制之人的嘴裡，衝口而出。所以，為人父母者須自我篩飾其自身的言談，儘量避免向兒女口出毀壞性的言語過於造就性的言語（15：4）

        真正智慧的人，必定三思而言之。他不啻慎選所言，更適時而語（15：23，28）。義人口裡所出智慧且有益的言語，為上帝所喜悅（15：16）。相反地，愚昧人的言語必招致滅亡（16：27~30）。智慧人的言語不但使受者獲益（16：21，23~24），且有醫治、賜平安與生命的果效（15：1，4，18；16：7）。「智慧人的舌善發知識……且傳揚知識」（15：2，7）。而這「知識」無庸置疑指的是，每一位信徒在對上帝及其律例的認識上，應被傳予的「知識」。

        在這三章經文中，對於這一位至尊無上、鑒察萬有的獨一真神，亦有一番探討。所羅門再次地強調與警示，人類所行之路乃是與上帝相違相離的，即使那一條路，人以為正，至終成為死亡之路（14：12；16：25）。上帝不僅無所不見、無所不知（就算陰間亦在其眼前），而且亦鑒察人心肺腑。因此，祂能公正不倚地定奪每個人的終極命運（15：3，11；16：12，4，9，33）。

        耶和華洞悉假意敬虔虛偽之人的作為；這個人也許能夠愚弄其他的人，但卻無法瞞騙得了上帝。此等作惡之人，還包括了那些「心裡驕傲」，被上帝視為憎惡之人（行憎惡之事）。耶和華遠離這等人，他們的結局終至滅亡（15：8，9，25~26；16：5，18）。然而、上帝卻喜悅那些有忠心、謙卑、正直的跟隨且敬畏祂的人。「因憐憫誠實」。藉著祂兒子耶穌的寶血，使他們的罪孽得贖（16：6）。祂要尊榮、親近，且垂聽那些敬畏祂之人的禱告（15：8~9，29，33）。倘若，上帝正直的兒女們擁有一頭「銀髮」的話，那它將被視為一榮耀的冠冕，上帝也要使祂的眾長者們得著極高的尊榮和敬重。因為他們在上帝面前公義敬虔的生命經歷，將成為年幼信徒們的忠告與指南。正如所羅門一再所強調的，那些不輕看父親、屬靈生命較成熟者和智慧信徒之管教（指正、責備、懲罰）的，乃是信徒們攸關屬靈生命健康的重要因素。

        那些將自己所行之路（所作與所想的）交託耶和華的，可以確定他們所行的必為正路──這條紮根於堅硬磐石上的生命之路，將引領他們到榮耀之境（15：24；16：17）。因此，即使他們將經過許多試練，他們知道凡事都是出於上帝的手──因為，他們明白及認識上帝的良善。就算在這種環境之下，他們依舊能夠存著一顆「喜樂的心」，並且過著彷彿「常享豐筵」的快樂生活（15：13~15，30）。

        所羅門寫下這些智慧言語的時候，當時的他乃是當世最具財富及權勢之人。然而，他確知真正的財富與寶藏，唯有在義人的家中方能尋獲，即使這屋子是一間簡陋的小屋。當這一間小屋裡，充滿著對上帝的認識和敬畏、愛、公義和智慧在其中時，遠勝過這世上一切財富所能給予人的滿足感及最大價值觀了（15：6，16~17，27；16：8，16）。

        親愛的主啊！感謝您賜予我們這屬靈的財富，乃是這世界所無法賜予的。但願，我們的家能成為一個彰顯您智慧與愛，及充滿清潔敬畏之心的居所。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        Many verses in chapters 15 and 16 are devoted to the important matter of self-control (16:32), especially over the tongue. It is only the wisest and strongest of people who can, at all times, control this most unruly member. Harmful and hurtful things can easily be spoken in an outburst of one's unrestrained temper. Parents need to keep themselves always in check, lest their words tear down rather than build up their children (cf. 15:4).

        The truly wise person deliberates before any words come from his mouth. He not only carefully chooses his words, but he also chooses the right time to speak them (15:23, 28). The wise and wholesome tongue of the righteous pleases the Lord (15:26). Unlike the fool whose tongue brings destruction and death (16:27-30), the tongue of the wise is not only beneficial to the one who possesses it (16:21, 23-24), but it brings healing, peace, and life to others as well (15:1, 4, 18; 16:7). "The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly" and he also disperses knowledge (15:2, 7). This "knowledge" is no doubt the knowledge of God and His Law which all believers ought to be spreading to those around them.

        The sovereignty of God, the One who sees and knows all, is also discussed in these chapters. Solomon once again emphasizes and warns that the way of mankind apart from God, even if it appears to be the right way, will lead to death (14:12; 16:25). God not only sees and knows all places, including hell, but He also sees the spirit and heart of all people. Therefore, He can justly decide the final destiny of each individual (15:3, 11; 16:1-2, 4, 9, 33).

        The Lord knows when one is a hypocrite who feigns religiosity; this person may be able to fool others, but he cannot fool God. Such evil ones, including those that are "proud in heart", are described as an abomination (something abhorant) to the Lord. The Lord is far from such people, and they will be destroyed (15:8, 9,25-26; 16:5, 18). God, however, takes pleasure in His faithful, humble, righteous followers who fear Him. "In mercy and truth", He has provided atonement for them through the blood of His Son Jesus (16:6). He will honour, be close to, and hear the prayers of those who fear Him (15:8-9, 29, 33). If God's righteous children have a "silver-haired head", it is to be considered as a crown of glory, and God wants His seniors to be highly honoured and respected. Because of their many years of experience in living righteously, the younger believers should seek out their advice and guidance. As Solomon strongly insists, it is vital to the believer's spiritual well-being that they do not scorn the reproof (correction, rebuke, or chastisement) of their father or the more spiritually mature and wise believers (15:5,10,12, 31-32; 16:20, 22).

        Those who have committed their ways (works and thoughts, 16:3) to the Lord can be sure they are going the right way — the way of life that is established upon the Solid Rock which will lead them upward to glory (15:24; 16:17). They have understanding and knowledge of the goodness of God; therefore, even though they may go through trials, they know that God has everything in control. Thus they can still have a "merry heart" and live joyously as though in a "continual feast" (15:13-15, 30).

        When Solomon penned these words of wisdom, he was the richest and most powerful man in the world. Yet he knew that true riches and treasure were to be found only in the house of the righteous, even if that home is a shack. When there is understanding and the fear of the Lord within the home, along with love, righteousness, and wisdom, this is more desirable and of greater value than all the wealth the world can give (15:6,16-17, 27; 16:8, 16).

        Dear Lord, thank You for the spiritual wealth You give that the world cannot offer. May our home be a place that demonstrates Your love and wisdom and has a healthy fear of You.