Proverbs 15:13
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men!
12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
- KJV
- A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- WEB
- A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
- ASV
- A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
- DARBY
- A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
- BLB
- A joyful heart makes a face good, and by sorrow of heart a spirit [is] stricken.
- ÅB
- Et glad hjerte gjør åsynet lyst, men hjertesorg bryter motet ned.
- OTB
- Et gledelig hjerte gir et lyst ansikt, men et knust hjerte knuser ånden.
- B1930
- Et glad hjerte gjør åsynet lyst, men hjertesorg bryter motet ned.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Read in contextJohn 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.
Read in contextProverbs 12:25
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
Read in contextProverbs 18:14
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
Read in contextProverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Read in context2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Read in context2 Corinthians 2:7
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Read in context2 Corinthians 1:12
And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
Read in context