Proverbs 15:20–24

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,

but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—

and how good is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent

to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

20 A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

22 Without counsel plans fail,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,

and a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father:

But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom:

But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed:

But in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:

And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24 The way of life is above to the wise,

That he may depart from hell beneath.

20 A wise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,

But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may turn away from hell below.

20 Wise children make their father happy,

but foolish children disrespect their mother.

21 A person without wisdom enjoys being foolish,

but someone with understanding does what is right.

22 Plans fail without good advice,

but they succeed with the advice of many others.

23 People enjoy giving good advice.

Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.

24 Wise people’s lives get better and better.

They avoid whatever would cause their death.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father;

But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom;

But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;

But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;

And a word in due season, how good is it!

24 To the wise the way of life goeth upward,

That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!

24 The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

20 A wise son makes his father happy, 

but a foolish child despises its mother. 

21 Stupidity is fun to the one without much sense, 

but a person who has understanding forges straight ahead. 

22 Without advice plans go wrong, 

but with many advisers they succeed. 

23 A person is delighted to hear an answer from his own mouth, 

and a timely word—oh, how good! 

24 The path of life for a wise person leads upward 

in order to turn him away from hell below. 

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a man with understanding walks a straight path.

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;

and a timely word—how good that is!

24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

20 A wise child makes a glad father,

but the foolish despise their mothers.

21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,

but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.

22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,

and a word in season, how good it is!

24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,

in order to avoid Sheol below.

20 A child of wisdom will make a father glad,

but a foolish person, he despises his mother.

21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

and a person of understanding will walk upright.

22 Plans go wrong when there is no counsel,

but with many advisors it will succeed.

23 Joy belongs to a man with answers in his mouth,

and a word in its time, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward for him who has insight,

in order to turn away from Sheol below.

20 A wise son makes his father glad.

But a foolish son hates his mother.

21 A person who has no sense enjoys doing foolish things.

But a man who has understanding walks straight ahead.

22 Plans fail without good advice.

But they succeed when there are many advisers.

23 Joy is found in giving the right answer.

And how good is a word spoken at the right time!

24 The path of life leads up for those who are wise.

It keeps them from going down to the grave.

20 A wise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,

But a man of understanding walks straight.

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,

But with many counselors they succeed.

23 A man has joy in an apt answer,

And how delightful is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise

That he may keep away from Sheol below.