16 (A)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 (B)Better is a dinner of [a]herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18 (C)A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

19 (D)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.

20 (E)A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 (F)Folly is joy to him who is destitute of [b]discernment,
(G)But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 (H)Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And (I)a word spoken [c]in due season, how good it is!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:17 Or vegetables
  2. Proverbs 15:21 Lit. heart
  3. Proverbs 15:23 Lit. in its time

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(H)
    but with many advisers(I) they succeed.(J)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(K)
    and how good is a timely word!(L)

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