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Proverbs 15:20-23 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 15:20-23 NIV (New International Version)

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:20-23 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 15:20-23 NLT (New Living Translation)

Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Proverbs 15:20-23 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.  Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a person with understanding walks a straight path.  Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.  A person takes joy in giving an answer;  and a timely word — how good that is!

Proverbs 15:20-23 KJV (King James Version)

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. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 15:20-23 NKJV (New King James Version)

A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Proverbs 15:20-23 MSG (The Message)

Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents. The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it. Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed. Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!

Proverbs 15:20-23 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. Foolishness is joy to one who lacks sense, But a person of understanding walks straight. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:20-23 AMP (Amplified Bible)

A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense, But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight]. [Eph 5:15] Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they are established and succeed. A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

Proverbs 15:20-23 NET (New English Translation)

A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother. Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course. Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established. A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time – how good it is!