New English Translation
Proverbs 15:13
13A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- New International Version (NIV)A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Context of Proverbs 15:13
11Death and Destruction are before the Lord – how much more the hearts of humans! 12The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise. A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken. 14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Read all of Proverbs 15Proverbs 15:13 word by word
לֵ֣ב שָׂ֭מֵחַ יֵיטִ֣ב פָּנִ֑ים וּבְעַצְּבַת־לֵ֝ב ר֣וּחַ נְכֵאָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 15:13
- Proverbs 15:15All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
- Proverbs 17:22A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God – not by human wisdom but by the grace of God – we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.
- Proverbs 12:25Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy.
- Proverbs 18:14A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness – but who can bear a crushed spirit?
- Nehemiah 2:2So the king said to me, “Why do you appear to be depressed when you aren’t sick? What can this be other than sadness of heart?” This made me very fearful.
- John 14:1“Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me.
- 2 Corinthians 7:10For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.
Commentaries on Proverbs 15:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken - Every kind of sorrow worketh death, but that which is the offspring of true repentance. This alone is healthful to the soul. The indulgence of a disposition to sighing tends to destroy life. Every deep sigh throws off a portion of the vital energy.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Some prefer to render the last clause, “In sorrow of heart the breath is oppressed.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13People's feelings influence how they present themselves (compare Proverbs 15:30).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. maketh ... countenance--or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 15:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries