A joyfulheartis goodmedicine,But a brokenspiritdriesup the bones.
My strengthis driedup like a potsherd,And my tonguecleavesto my jaws;And You layme in the dustof death.
Anxietyin a man'sheartweighsit down,But a goodwordmakesit glad.
A joyfulheartmakesa cheerfulface,But when the heartis sad,the spiritis broken.
Pleasantwordsare a honeycomb,Sweetto the souland healingto the bones.
The spiritof a mancan endurehis sickness,But [as for] a brokenspiritwhocan bearit?
I saidof laughter,"It is madness,"and of pleasure,"Whatdoes it accomplish?"
sothat on the contraryyou should ratherforgiveand comfort[him], otherwisesuch a onemight be overwhelmedby excessivesorrow.
For the sorrowthat is accordingto [the will] [of] Godproducesa repentancewithout regret,[leading] to salvation,but the sorrowof the worldproducesdeath.
