New King James Version
Proverbs 15:13
13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the 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 Living Translation (NLT)A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
Context of Proverbs 15:13
11Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 12A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry 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 evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
- Proverbs 17:22A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
- Proverbs 12:25Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
- Proverbs 18:14The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
- Nehemiah 2:2Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid,
- John 14:1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
- 2 Corinthians 7:10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries