Proverbs 15:20-26 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows. The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! For the prudent the path of life leads upward, so that he may avoid going down to Sheol. The LORD tears apart the house of the proud, but he protects the widow’s territory. The LORD detests the plans of the one who is evil, but pleasant words are pure.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The way of life is above to the wise, That he may depart from hell beneath. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: But he will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: But the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful— it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell. GOD smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing. GOD can’t stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The path of life leads upward for the wise, So that he may keep away from Sheol below. The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will set the boundary of the widow. Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below. [Phil 3:20; Col 3:1, 2] The LORD will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous), But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow. Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the LORD, But pure words are pleasant words to Him.
Proverbs 15:20-26 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! The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. The LORD abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure.