Bible Strands
Proverbs 15:9
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs addresses learners seeking practical wisdom, presenting this verse as a direct contrast between two opposing life directions.
The words — תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת (to'evah) literally means abomination or detestable thing, while צְדָקָ֣ה (tzedakah) translates directly to righteousness.
The thread — The text contrasts divine rejection and favor, echoing the prayer versus sacrifice contrast in Proverbs 15:8, the warning about leaving the path in Proverbs 15:10, the call to flee evil and pursue righteousness in 1 Timothy 6:11, the promise of life for pursuing righteousness in Proverbs 21:21, and God’s repeated warning against detestable practices in Jeremiah 44:4.
Why it lands — The verse demands a conscious choice between two mutually exclusive directions, requiring the reader to abandon the wicked path and actively pursue righteousness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- Proverbs 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
- Jeremiah 44:4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’
- Hosea 6:3 So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
- Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
- Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
- Psalms 1:6 For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
- Psalms 146:8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
- Proverbs 4:19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
- Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.