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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
my heart will indeed rejoice.(A)
16 My innermost being will cheer
when your lips say what is right.(B)

Read full chapter

On Listening to Your Parents

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    my own heart will greatly rejoice.
16 My innermost being will be glad
    when your lips speak what is right.

Read full chapter