English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
16
Better a little with the fear of the LORDthan great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
18
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
19
The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
20
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
21
Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
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, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
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 maintains the widow's boundaries.
25
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.