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20 A wise son gives his father joy,
    but a fool despises his mother.(A)
21 Folly is joy[a] to the senseless,
    but the person of understanding goes the straight way.
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
    but they succeed when advisers are many.[b](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 15:21 The word “joy” occurs in the first line of vv. 20, 21, and 23. The state of folly is joy to a fool but the wise person is totally absorbed in keeping on the right or straight road.
  2. 15:22 Failure to consult makes it likely a plan will not succeed. The point is nicely made by contrasting the singular number in the first line (“no counsel”) with the plural number in the second line (“many advisers”).

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

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

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(C)
    but with many advisers(D) they succeed.(E)

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