What does Proverbs 15:9 mean?

The Lord is perfectly holy. Isaiah 6:3–4 describes seraphim calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Further, Leviticus 20:7 says, "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God." First Peter 1:14–16 says, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" It pleases the Lord when His people lead a holy life. Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Surely leading a righteous life has its own reward, but what greater reward is there than to be the object of the Lord's love?

The prior verse noted that God finds the hollow gestures of those who deny His truth to be disgusting and offensive (Proverbs 15:8). Here, the same is said of the way such people live. The person who leads a life of persistent sin is guilty of doing what the Lord hates. His actions are distasteful to the Lord; the Hebrew term is often translated as "abomination." Romans 1:18 warns that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."