Proverbs 15:15–30

¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.^r

¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth with turmoil.^s

¹⁷Better a small serving of vegetables with love

than a fattened calf with hatred.^t

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

but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.^v

¹⁹The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,^w

but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father,^x

but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,^y

but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

²²Plans fail for lack of counsel,^z

but with many advisers^a they succeed.^b

²³A person finds joy in giving an apt reply^c—

and how good is a timely word!^d

²⁴The path of life leads upward for the prudent

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

²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the proud,^e

but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.^f

²⁶The Lord detests the thoughts^g of the wicked,^h

but gracious words are pureⁱ in his sight.

²⁷The greedy bring ruin to their households,

but the one who hates bribes will live.^j

²⁸The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,^k

but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.^l

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^m

³⁰Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the bones.ⁿ