Proverbs 15:15–30

¹⁵All the days of the poor are hard,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶Better is a little with the fear of the Lord

than great treasure and trouble with it.^*

¹⁷Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is

than a fatted ox and hatred with it.^*

¹⁸Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,

but those who are slow to anger calm contention.^*

¹⁹The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,

but the path of the upright is a level highway.^*

²⁰A wise child makes a glad father,

but the foolish despise their mothers.^*

²¹Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,

but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.^*

²²Without counsel, plans go wrong,

but with many advisers they succeed.^*

²³To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,

and a word in season, how good it is!^*

²⁴For the wise the path of life leads upward,

in order to avoid Sheol below.^*

²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the proud

but maintains the widow’s boundaries.^*

²⁶Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,

but gracious words are pure.^*

²⁷Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,

but those who hate bribes will live.^*

²⁸The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.^*

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^*

³⁰The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

and good news refreshes the body.