Proverbs 15:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

NIV: All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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

CSB: All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

NLT: For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

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

NKJV: All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

The contrast here is about how one perceives their circumstances. This is likely not meant as a comparison between success and suffering, but between despairing pessimism and godly trust. Perspective has great impact on one's happiness (Proverbs 15:13).

The word translated "evil" here is not always a reference to immorality; it can also mean something unpleasant or disastrous. Those who are perpetually "afflicted" are constantly miserable under the weight of their own negativity. They make the worst of every situation. Negative people constantly complain and never see a bright side in any circumstances. They are gloomy, negative, and seem bent on making life miserable for others.

Their counterparts are cheerful people. They may encounter difficult circumstances, but they find a sense of joy, even in adversity (1 Thessalonians 5:18). These cheerful individuals help others by encouraging them. They lift the spirits of their friends and associates. Barnabas was an encourager in the early church. Times were tough for many believers. They had come to Jerusalem from foreign countries and lacked jobs and income. But Acts 4:34–37 tells us "as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."

A parallel interpretation of this verse is that even those who are afflicted—burdened with perpetual hardship—can experience constant joy if they maintain a cheerful heart.

Proverbs 15:13–30 continues Solomon's contrasting descriptions of the wise and the foolish. In this book, those ideas are associated with accepting or rejecting God's truth, respectively (Proverbs 1:7). He writes about the gladness of the upright, wise person and the depressing existence of the wicked, foolish person. He contrasts attitudes, thoughts, and actions of both kinds of individuals, and he states that the Lord is far from the wicked but close enough to the righteous to hear their prayers.

Solomon begins this chapter of Proverbs by addressing subjects such as anger and self-control and how those reactions produce different responses from others. That extends to how carefully a person guards their words, and their responses to questions. Wise people seek wisdom and humbly accept it. Foolish people are careless, lazy, or arrogant. Solomon also notes the importance of perspective, and once again commends those who sincerely seek godly wisdom.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.