Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
Folly is joy to him who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding makes his going straight.
New American Standard Bible
But a man of understanding
King James Version
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Holman Bible
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.
International Standard Version
Stupidity is the delight of the senseless, but an understanding man walks uprightly.
American Standard Version
Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Amplified
Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
Bible in Basic English
Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
Darby Translation
Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.
Julia Smith Translation
Folly is joy to him wanting heart: and the man of understanding will make straight to go.
King James 2000
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Folly is a joy to him who lacks {sense}, and a person of understanding {will walk upright}.
Modern King James verseion
Folly is joy to him who is without any wisdom, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
A fool rejoiceth in foolish things; but a wise man looketh well to his own goings.
NET Bible
Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.
New Heart English Bible
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
The Emphasized Bible
Folly, is joy to him that lacketh sense, - but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course.
Webster
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
World English Bible
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
Youngs Literal Translation
Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth his going.
Themes
Joy » Of the wicked » Is derived from folly
Uprightness » Who walks uprightly
Interlinear
Leb
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 15:21
Verse Info
Context Readings
A Wise Son Brings Blessings To Others
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding makes his going straight. 22 Where there is no counsel, plans are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:23
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief, and [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
Ephesians 5:15
Therefore watch carefully how ye walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Job 28:28
And to man he said, Behold, the fear of LORD, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psalm 111:10
The fear of LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and all who act accordingly have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Proverbs 11:12
He who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will.
Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears, and departs from evil, but the fool bears himself insolently, and is confident.
Proverbs 26:18-19
As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show from his good behavior his works in mildness of wisdom.