Proverbs 15:15–30

¹⁵For the despondent, every day brings trouble;

for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

¹⁶Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,

than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

¹⁷A bowl of vegetables with someone you love

is better than steak with someone you hate.

¹⁸A hot-tempered person starts fights;

a cool-tempered person stops them.

¹⁹A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers,

but the path of the upright is an open highway.

²⁰Sensible children bring joy to their father;

foolish children despise their mother.

²¹Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;

a sensible person stays on the right path.

²²Plans go wrong for lack of advice;

many advisers bring success.

²³Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;

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

²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise;

they leave the grave behind.

²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the proud,

but he protects the property of widows.

²⁶The Lord detests evil plans,

but he delights in pure words.

²⁷Greed brings grief to the whole family,

but those who hate bribes will live.

²⁸The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;

the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

³⁰A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;

good news makes for good health.