Proverbs 15:15–30

¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are miserable,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great treasure with turmoil.^j

¹⁷Better a meal of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox^k with hatred.^l

¹⁸A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,^m

but one slow to angerⁿ calms strife.

¹⁹A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,

but the path of the upright is a highway.^o

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.^p

²¹Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a person with understanding walks a straight path.^q

²²Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.^r

²³A person takes joy in giving an answer;^A

and a timely word—how good that is!^s

²⁴For the prudent the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,

but he protects the widow’s territory.^t

²⁶The Lord detests the plans of the one who is evil,

but pleasant words are pure.^u

²⁷The one who profits dishonestly^v troubles his household,

but the one who hates bribes will live.^w

²⁸The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,^x

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.^y

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,^z

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^aa

³⁰Bright eyes cheer the heart;

good news strengthens^B the bones.^ab