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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 15:13–21

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

45 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 13

  1. Proverbs 17:22Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

  2. John 14:1Rank 2 from verse 13
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    1LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

  3. Proverbs 12:25Rank 3 from verse 13
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    25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

  4. Proverbs 18:14Rank 4 from verse 13
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    14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

  5. Proverbs 15:15Rank 5 from verse 13
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    15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

From verse 14

  1. Proverbs 9:9Rank 1 from verse 14
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    9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

  2. Isaiah 30:10Rank 2 from verse 14
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    10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

  3. Proverbs 18:15Rank 3 from verse 14
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    15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

  4. 2 Peter 3:18Rank 4 from verse 14
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    18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

  5. Acts 17:11Rank 5 from verse 14
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    11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

From verse 15

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:10Rank 1 from verse 15
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    10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

  2. Romans 12:12Rank 2 from verse 15
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    12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

  3. Proverbs 15:13Rank 3 from verse 15
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    13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

  4. Proverbs 17:22Rank 4 from verse 15
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    22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

  5. Romans 5:11Rank 5 from verse 15
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    11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

From verse 16

  1. Proverbs 16:8Rank 1 from verse 16
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    8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

  2. Psalms 37:16Rank 2 from verse 16
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    16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

  3. Ecclesiastes 5:10–12Rank 3 from verse 16
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    10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

    11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

    12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

  4. 1 Timothy 6:6Rank 4 from verse 16
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    6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

  5. Proverbs 28:6Rank 5 from verse 16
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    6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

From verse 17

  1. Proverbs 17:1Rank 1 from verse 17
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    1BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

  2. Proverbs 21:19Rank 2 from verse 17
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    19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

  3. 1 John 4:16Rank 3 from verse 17
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    16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

  4. Matthew 22:4Rank 4 from verse 17
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    4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

  5. Philippians 2:1Rank 5 from verse 17
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    1IF there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

From verse 18

  1. Proverbs 15:1Rank 1 from verse 18
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    1A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

  2. Proverbs 26:21Rank 2 from verse 18
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    21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

  3. Matthew 5:9Rank 3 from verse 18
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    9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

  4. Proverbs 29:22Rank 4 from verse 18
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    22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

  5. Proverbs 14:29Rank 5 from verse 18
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    29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

From verse 19

  1. Isaiah 35:8Rank 1 from verse 19
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    8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

  2. Proverbs 22:5Rank 2 from verse 19
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    5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

  3. Isaiah 30:21Rank 3 from verse 19
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    21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

  4. Proverbs 22:13Rank 4 from verse 19
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    13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

  5. Proverbs 26:13Rank 5 from verse 19
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    13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

From verse 20

  1. Proverbs 29:3Rank 1 from verse 20
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    3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

  2. Proverbs 10:1Rank 2 from verse 20
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    1THE proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

  3. Proverbs 23:15–16Rank 3 from verse 20
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    15My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

    16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

  4. 1 Kings 1:48Rank 4 from verse 20
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    48And also thus said the king, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.

  5. 1 Kings 5:7Rank 5 from verse 20
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    7¶ And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

From verse 21

  1. Ephesians 5:15Rank 1 from verse 21
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    15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

  2. Proverbs 10:23Rank 2 from verse 21
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    23It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

  3. Proverbs 14:16Rank 3 from verse 21
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    16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

  4. James 3:13Rank 4 from verse 21
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    13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

  5. Job 28:28Rank 5 from verse 21
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    28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:13

COMBINED MEANING

merry

↗

Glad, cheerful, joyful, festive, pleased, or enlivened in heart, often in connection with eating, drinking, feasting, celebration, or favourable circumstances.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

maketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of make (to form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

countenance

↗

1. The face, or its appearance or expression. 2. Favour, regard, or presence expressed toward someone. 3. To favour or support.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sorrow

↗

Sense 1: Grief, sadness, anguish, pain, regret, distress, trouble, or heaviness. Sense 2: To grieve or cause such pain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:14

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:15

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

merry

↗

Glad, cheerful, joyful, festive, pleased, or enlivened in heart, often in connection with eating, drinking, feasting, celebration, or favourable circumstances.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

feast

↗

Sense 1: A large or special meal, often connected with an appointed celebration. Sense 2: As a verb, to eat or entertain at such a meal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:16

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fear

↗

1. Alarm, dread, terror, or apprehension. 2. Reverence, awe, or respectful regard. 3. A person, thing, or event feared or revered. 4. To fear, dread, or reverence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

treasure

↗

Sense 1: Valuable things or provisions stored; a specially valued possession. Sense 2: An inward store from which something is brought forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

trouble

↗

Sense 1: Disturbance, affliction, distress, vexation, or difficulty. Sense 2: To disturb, distress, afflict, or inconvenience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:17

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

dinner

↗

A meal, especially the principal meal of the day; a feast or entertainment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

love

↗

Sense 1: Affection, attachment, delight, goodwill, commitment, or devotion. Sense 2: To regard with affection or devotion. Sense 3: A beloved person.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:18

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

anger

↗

Sense 1: Strong displeasure or indignation. Sense 2: As a verb, to provoke to such displeasure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:19

COMBINED MEANING

slothful

↗

Lazy, idle, sluggish, negligent, or slow and unwilling to act or labour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hedge

↗

Sense 1: A fence, thicket, wall, or protective enclosure. Sense 2: Figuratively, a barrier or defense. As a verb, to enclose or obstruct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thorns

↗

Sense 1: Sharp spines or prickles. Sense 2: Thorn-bearing plants and figures of things that prick, obstruct, or grieve.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

plain

↗

1. A level tract of land. 2. Clear or evident. 3. Simple or unadorned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:20

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

maketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of make (to form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

glad

↗

Pleased; affected with pleasure or moderate joy; moderately happy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 15:21

COMBINED MEANING

joy

↗

Sense 1: Gladness, delight, or rejoicing. Sense 2: To rejoice, delight, or be glad.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

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14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Selected passage

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Selected passage

16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Selected passage

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Selected passage

18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Selected passage

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

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20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Selected passage

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Selected passage

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

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