Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire compares with her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days

Wisdom More Valuable than Riches

13 How joyful is the man who finds wisdom,
    and the man who gains understanding,
14 because her profit is better than the profit of silver,
    and her yield than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
    and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand,
    and in her left are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life for those who embrace her,
    and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

Read full chapter

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)

Read full chapter

32 “And now, my sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(A)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(B)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(C)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.

Read full chapter

The Exhortation of Wisdom

32 “So listen to me, children!
    Blessed are those who obey me.
33 Listen to instruction and be wise.
    Don’t ignore it.
34 Blessed is the person who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
        waiting at my doorways—

Read full chapter

32 “Now then, my children, listen(A) to me;
    blessed are(B) those who keep my ways.(C)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(D) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.

Read full chapter

14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(A)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(B)

Read full chapter

14 By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied,
    and a man’s handiwork will reward him.

Read full chapter

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(A)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(B)

Read full chapter

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

Read full chapter

20 Deceit is at home[a] in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but those who promote peace rejoice.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:20 The Heb. lacks at home

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

Read full chapter

21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,(A)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.(B)

Read full chapter

21 Whoever despises his neighbor sins,
    but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

Read full chapter

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(A)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(B)

Read full chapter

13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(A)

Read full chapter

13 A happy heart enlightens the face,
    but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

15 The entire life[a] of the afflicted seems disastrous,
    but a good heart feasts continuously.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Lit. All the days

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

Read full chapter

30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens[a] the bones.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat

30 Bright eyes[a] encourage the heart;
    good news nourishes the body.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or A cheerful look
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Lit. bones

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

Read full chapter

20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(A)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(B)

Read full chapter

20 Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers,
    and anyone who trusts in the Lord is blessed.

Read full chapter

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](A)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good