10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

Read full chapter

10 The heart knows its own distress;
    another person can’t share its joy.

Read full chapter

13 Even in laughter(A) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

Read full chapter

13 The heart feels pain even in laughter,
    and in the end, joy turns to sorrow.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

13 A joyful heart brightens one’s face,
    but a troubled heart breaks the spirit.

Read full chapter

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

Read full chapter

22 A joyful heart helps healing,
    but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Read full chapter

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(A)

Read full chapter

14 The human spirit sustains a sick person,
    but who can bear a broken spirit?

Read full chapter

20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

Read full chapter

20 Singing a song to a troubled heart
    is like taking off a garment on a cold day
    or putting vinegar on a wound.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:20 LXX; MT vinegar on natron (a detergent)

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(A)
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(B)

Read full chapter

11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
    so I can answer those who insult me.

Read full chapter

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(A)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

Read full chapter

The wicked are snared by their own sin;[a]
    the righteous sing and rejoice.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:6 Tg, Syr; MT In the sin of an evil man is a snare