Proverbs 15:23
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 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!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
- KJV
- A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
- WEB
- Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
- ASV
- A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
- DARBY
- A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
- BLB
- Joy [is] unto a man in the answer of his mouth, and a word in its season, how good [it is]!
- ÅB
- En mann gleder seg når hans munn kan gi svar, og hvor godt er ikke et ord i rette tid!
- OTB
- En person finner glede i et passende svar, og hvor herlig er et ord i rette tid!
- B1930
- En mann gleder sig når hans munn kan gi svar, og hvor godt er ikke et ord i rette tid!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Read in contextEphesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Read in contextProverbs 25:11–12
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Read in contextProverbs 12:14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
Read in contextProverbs 16:13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Read in contextProverbs 24:26
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
Read in context1 Samuel 25:32–33
And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
Read in contextEcclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Read in context