Proverbs 15:13-30

^{(New Internation Version)}

 

¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
    but heartache crushes the spirit.

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.

¹⁷ Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.

¹⁸ A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.

²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
    and how good is a timely word!

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

²⁶ The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
    but gracious words are pure in his sight.

²⁷ The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

 ²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.