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. ^o

¹⁷Better a meal of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened ox ^pwith hatred. ^q

¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, ^r

but a man slow to anger ^scalms strife.

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

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

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother. ^u

²¹Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a man with understanding walks a straight path. ^v

²²Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed. ^w

²³A man takes joy in giving an answer; ^x

and a timely word—how good that is! ^y

²⁴For the discerning the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵The Lord destroys the house of the proud,

but He protects the widow’s territory. ^z

²⁶The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,

but pleasant words are pure. ^a

²⁷The one who profits dishonestly ^btroubles his household,

but the one who hates bribes will live. ^c

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

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

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked, ^f

but He hears the prayer of the righteous. ^g

³⁰Bright eyes cheer the heart;

good news strengthens ^hthe bones. ⁱ