My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
Parallel translations
- WEB Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
- BSB Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
- NKJV My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me.
- NASB Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, So that I may reply to one who taunts me.
- NLT Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A child's wisdom brings joy to a parent and vindicates them before critics. It links a son's godly conduct to his parent's honor and answer to detractors.
Overview
The father pleads with his son to be wise, both for the joy it brings and so the father can answer those who reproach him. A child's character reflects on the parent and silences accusers. The verse echoes how God is glorified and answers His critics through the obedient conduct of His children, who are conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Prov 10:1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
- Ps 119:42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
- Prov 23:15–16My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
- Prov 23:24–25The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
- 2 Jn 1:4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
- Prov 15:20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
- Eccl 2:18–21Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
- Phlm 1:7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
- Ps 127:4–5As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
- Prov 29:3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
- Phlm 1:19–20I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 27:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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