Proverbs 15:22
New International Version
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

New Living Translation
Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

English Standard Version
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Berean Standard Bible
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

King James Bible
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

New King James Version
Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

New American Standard Bible
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

NASB 1995
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

NASB 1977
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

Legacy Standard Bible
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

Amplified Bible
Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they are established and succeed.

Christian Standard Bible
Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

American Standard Version
Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Contemporary English Version
Without good advice everything goes wrong--it takes careful planning for things to go right.

English Revised Version
Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Without advice plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.

Good News Translation
Get all the advice you can, and you will succeed; without it you will fail.

International Standard Version
Plans fail without advice, but with many counselors they are confirmed.

Majority Standard Bible
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

NET Bible
Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established.

New Heart English Bible
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

Webster's Bible Translation
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

World English Bible
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The making void of purposes [is] without counsel, "" And in a multitude of counselors it is established.

Young's Literal Translation
Without counsel is the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.

Smith's Literal Translation
The frustrating purposes with no counsel, but in the multitude of counselors it shall be set up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.

New American Bible
Plans fail when there is no counsel, but they succeed when advisers are many.

New Revised Standard Version
Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Those who have undue respect for the counsel fail to appreciate its purpose; but in the multitude of counsellors the counsel is established.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Those who honor the assembly bypass reasoning, and by the multitude of advisers advice is established.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For want of counsel purposes are frustrated; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!…

Cross References
Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Proverbs 20:18
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! / Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? ...

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. ...

Ephesians 4:11-16
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, / until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. ...

Acts 15:6-29
So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter. / After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. / And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. ...

Exodus 18:13-27
The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. / When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?” / “Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. ...

1 Kings 12:6-15
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. ...

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

Luke 14:28-32
Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ ...

Matthew 18:19-20
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Romans 12:4-8
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. / We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; ...


Treasury of Scripture

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Proverbs 20:18
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Ecclesiastes 8:6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

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Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














Plans fail
The Hebrew word for "plans" is "מַחֲשָׁבוֹת" (machashavot), which can also mean thoughts, intentions, or designs. This suggests that the verse is not merely about formal plans but encompasses all forms of human intention and purpose. The word "fail" is translated from "פָּרַר" (parar), meaning to break, frustrate, or nullify. Historically, this reflects the understanding that human endeavors, without proper guidance, are prone to collapse. The Bible consistently teaches that human wisdom is limited and that reliance on one's own understanding often leads to failure (Proverbs 3:5-6).

for lack of counsel
The term "counsel" comes from the Hebrew "סוֹד" (sod), which implies confidential discussion or secret counsel. In ancient Israel, counsel was often sought from elders, prophets, or wise men who were respected for their experience and insight. The absence of such counsel indicates a lack of guidance and wisdom, which is crucial for the success of any plan. This phrase underscores the importance of seeking advice and the humility required to acknowledge that one does not have all the answers.

but with many advisers
The word "advisers" is derived from the Hebrew "יוֹעֵץ" (yo'etz), meaning counselor or consultant. The use of "many" emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives and collective wisdom. In the historical context, kings and leaders would surround themselves with a council of advisers to ensure that decisions were well-informed and balanced. This reflects a biblical principle that wisdom is found in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14).

they succeed
The Hebrew root for "succeed" is "קוּם" (qum), which means to rise, stand, or be established. This conveys the idea of plans being firmly set and achieving their intended purpose. The success mentioned here is not merely about achieving goals but doing so in a way that is stable and enduring. Scripturally, true success is aligned with God's will and purposes, and it is through wise counsel that one can discern and follow the right path.

Verse 22. - Without counsel - where no counsel is - purposes are disappointed (Proverbs 11:14); there can be no concerted action, or the means used are not the best that could be devised. Hesiod, Theog., 293 -

Ἐσθλὸς δ αϋ κἀκεῖνος ο{ς εϋ εἰπὸ´ντι πίθηται
 {Ος δὲ κε μήτ αὐτὸς νοέῃ μήτ ἄλλου ἀκούων
Ἐν θυμῷ βάλληται ὁ δ αϋτ ἀχρήιος ἀνήρ (Comp. Proverbs 20:18.) In the multitude of counsellors they are established (Proverbs 24:6). We read of "counsellors" as almost regular officials in the Hebrew court, as in modern kingdoms (see 1 Chronicles 27:32; Isaiah 1:26; Micah 4:9; comp. Ezra 7:28). There is, of course, the danger of secrets being divulged where counsellors are many; and there is Terence's maxim to fear, "Quot heroines, tot sententiae;" but, properly guarded and discreetly used, good counsel is above all price. Septuagint, "They who honour not councils (συνέδρια) lay aside (ὑπερτίθενται) conclusions (i.e. put off coming to any definite decision); but in the hearts of those who consult counsel abideth" (compare the parallel clause, Proverbs 19:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Plans
מַ֭חֲשָׁבוֹת (ma·ḥă·šā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

fail
הָפֵ֣ר (hā·p̄êr)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

for lack
בְּאֵ֣ין (bə·’ên)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

of counsel,
ס֑וֹד (sō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5475: A session, company of persons, intimacy, consultation, a secret

but with many
וּבְרֹ֖ב (ū·ḇə·rōḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

advisers
יוֹעֲצִ֣ים (yō·w·‘ă·ṣîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

they succeed.
תָּקֽוּם׃ (tā·qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:22 Where there is no counsel plans fail (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 15:21
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