Proverbs 15:15–30

¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are bad,

But a ¹cheerful heart has a continual feast.

^16aBetter is a little with the ¹fear of the Lord

Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

^17aBetter is a ¹dish of ²vegetables where love is

Than a ^bfattened ox served with hatred.

¹⁸A ^ahot-tempered man stirs up strife,

But the ^bslow to anger ^ccalms a dispute.

¹⁹The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,

But the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰A ^awise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish man ^bdespises his mother.

²¹Folly is joy to him who lacks ¹sense,

But a man of understanding ^awalks straight.

²²Without consultation, plans are frustrated,

But with many counselors they ¹succeed.

²³A ^aman has joy in an ¹apt answer,

And how delightful is a timely ^bword!

²⁴The ^apath of life leads upward for the wise

That he may keep away from ¹Sheol below.

²⁵The Lord will ^atear down the house of the proud,

But He will ^bestablish the boundary of the ^cwidow.

²⁶Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,

But pleasant words are pure.

²⁷He who ^aprofits illicitly troubles his own house,

But he who ^bhates bribes will live.

²⁸The heart of the righteous ^aponders how to answer,

But the ^bmouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

²⁹The Lord is ^afar from the wicked,

But He ^bhears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰¹Bright eyes gladden the heart;

Good news puts fat on the bones.