Proverbs 15:15
New International Version
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

New Living Translation
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

English Standard Version
All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Berean Standard Bible
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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

New King James Version
All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

New American Standard Bible
All the days of the needy are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

NASB 1995
All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

NASB 1977
All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Legacy Standard Bible
All the days of the afflicted are evil, But a good heart has a continual feast.

Amplified Bible
All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].

Christian Standard Bible
All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

American Standard Version
All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

Contemporary English Version
The poor have a hard life, but being content is as good as an endless feast.

English Revised Version
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Good News Translation
The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life.

International Standard Version
The entire life of the afflicted seems disastrous, but a good heart feasts continuously.

Majority Standard Bible
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

NET Bible
All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

New Heart English Bible
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

Webster's Bible Translation
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

World English Bible
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, "" And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.

Young's Literal Translation
All the days of the afflicted are evil, And gladness of heart is a perpetual banquet.

Smith's Literal Translation
All the days of the afflicted are evil: and the good of heart drinking always.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All the days of the poor are evil. A secure mind is like a continual feast.

New American Bible
All the days of the poor are evil, but a good heart is a continual feast.

New Revised Standard Version
All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All the days of the poor are filled with hardships; but those who are of merry heart have a continual tranquillity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All the days of the poor are poor, and the sweet are always calm.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
All the days of the poor are evil; But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.…

Cross References
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. / I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-9
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works: / Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head. / Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice at all times. / Pray without ceasing. / Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...

Nehemiah 8:10
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. / Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

all

Genesis 37:35
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

Genesis 47:9
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

Psalm 90:7-9
For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled…

but

Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Acts 16:25
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Jump to Previous
Afflicted Bad Banquet Cheerful Continual Enjoys Evil Feast Glad Gladness Heart Merry Oppressed Perpetual Poor Troubled Unending Wretched
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Afflicted Bad Banquet Cheerful Continual Enjoys Evil Feast Glad Gladness Heart Merry Oppressed Perpetual Poor Troubled Unending Wretched
Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














All the days
The phrase "All the days" suggests a comprehensive view of time, indicating that the condition being described is not temporary but persistent. In the Hebrew context, "days" often symbolizes one's life journey or experience. This phrase sets the stage for a contrast between two types of life experiences, emphasizing the totality and continuity of one's circumstances.

of the oppressed
The term "oppressed" refers to those who are burdened by external circumstances or internal struggles. In Hebrew, the word can imply being afflicted or in distress. Historically, the oppressed were often those marginalized in society, such as the poor or those suffering under unjust rulers. This highlights the reality of suffering in a fallen world and the need for divine intervention and justice.

are wretched
"Wretched" conveys a sense of misery and hardship. The Hebrew root suggests a state of evil or trouble, indicating that the oppressed experience life as a series of challenges and sorrows. This reflects the biblical understanding of the fallen nature of the world, where sin and its consequences lead to suffering and despair.

but a cheerful heart
The phrase "but a cheerful heart" introduces a stark contrast. The Hebrew word for "cheerful" can also mean joyful or glad. This suggests an inner disposition that transcends external circumstances. In biblical terms, a cheerful heart is often associated with trust in God and the joy that comes from His presence, as seen in passages like Nehemiah 8:10, "The joy of the LORD is your strength."

has a continual feast
"A continual feast" symbolizes abundance and satisfaction. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a feast was a time of celebration, community, and plenty. The Hebrew word for "feast" implies a banquet or festival, suggesting that a cheerful heart experiences life as a constant celebration, regardless of external conditions. This reflects the biblical theme that true contentment and joy are found in a relationship with God, who provides for His people abundantly.

(15) All the days of the afflicted are evil.--Another caution against over-anxiety. The "afflicted" here evidently means, not one who has to bear great misfortunes, but one who makes the worst of everything, to whom the "clouds return after the rain" (Ecclesiastes 12:2); while one who is "of a merry heart" does just the contrary.

Verse 15. - All the days of the afflicted are evil. "The days of the poor are evil," says the Talmud ('Dukes,' 73); but in our verse the contrasted clause restricts the sense of "the afflicted" to mental, not material, evil. The Vulgate pauperis gives a wrong impression. The persons intended are such as take a gloomy view of things, who are always in low spirits, and cannot rise superior to present circumstances. These never have a happy moment; they are always taking anxious thought (Matthew 6:25), and forecasting evil. The LXX., reading עיני for עני, translates, "At all times the eyes of the evil expect evil." But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. The cheerful man's condition is a banquet unceasingly, a fixed state of joy and contentment. Septuagint, "But the righteous are at peace always;" Vulgate, "A secure mind is like a perpetual feast." "For," says St. Gregory ('Moral,' 12:44), "the mere repose of security is like the continuance of refreshment. Whereas, on the other hand, the evil mind is always set in pains and labours, since it is either contriving mischiefs that it may bring down, or fearing lest these be brought down upon it by others." Our own proverb says, "A contented mind is a continual feast."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the days
יְמֵ֣י (yə·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of the oppressed
עָנִ֣י (‘ā·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

are bad,
רָעִ֑ים (rā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

but a cheerful
וְטֽוֹב־ (wə·ṭō·wḇ-)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

heart
לֵ֝֗ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

has a continual
תָמִֽיד׃ (ṯā·mîḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 8548: Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice

feast.
מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה (miš·teh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted (Prov. Pro Pr)
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