Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, So that I may reply to one who taunts me.
Parallel translations
- WEB Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
- KJV My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
- 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.
- 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 makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
- Ps 119:42So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
- Prov 23:15–16My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:
- Prov 23:24–25The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
- 2 Jn 1:4I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.
- Prov 15:20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
- Eccl 2:18–21I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.
- Phlm 1:7For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
- Ps 127:4–5As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
- Prov 29:3Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
- Phlm 1:19–20I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.