Proverbs 15:21–27

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Without counsel plans fail,

but with many advisers they succeed.

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

and a word in season, how good it is!

The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud

but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

but gracious words are pure.

Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,

but he who hates bribes will live.

Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,

but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Plans fail for lack of counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—

and how good is a timely word!

The path of life leads upward for the prudent

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

The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

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

The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,

but gracious words are pure in his sight.

The greedy bring ruin to their households,

but the one who hates bribes will live.

Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a person with understanding walks a straight path.

Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

A person takes joy in giving an answer;

and a timely word—how good that is!

For the prudent the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,

but he protects the widow’s territory.

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

but pleasant words are pure.

The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household,

but the one who hates bribes will live.

Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;

a sensible person stays on the right path.

Plans go wrong for lack of advice;

many advisers bring success.

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;

it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

The path of life leads upward for the wise;

they leave the grave behind.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

but he protects the property of widows.

The Lord detests evil plans,

but he delights in pure words.

Greed brings grief to the whole family,

but those who hate bribes will live.

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

and a person of understanding will walk upright.

Plans go wrong when there is no counsel,

but with many advisors it will succeed.

Joy belongs to a man with answers in his mouth,

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

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

in order to turn away from Sheol below.

The house of the proud, Yahweh will tear it down,

but he will maintain the property line of the widow.

Plans of evil are an abomination of Yahweh,

but gracious words are pure.

He who makes trouble for his house is he who is greedy for unjust gain,

but he who hates bribes will live.

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom:

But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed:

But in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:

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

The way of life is above to the wise,

That he may depart from hell beneath.

The Lord will destroy the house of the proud:

But he will establish the border of the widow.

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord:

But the words of the pure are pleasant words.

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;

But he that hateth gifts shall live.