Add parallel Print Page Options

A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
    and be a chain of honor around your neck.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:8 Hebrew My son; also in 1:10, 15.

The Minor Theme

My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
They will be a graceful wreath for your head
    and a chain for your neck.

Read full chapter

20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
    and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21 Keep their words always in your heart.
    Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
    When you sleep, they will protect you.
    When you wake up, they will advise you.
23 For their command is a lamp
    and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
    is the way to life.

Read full chapter

Parental Counsel about Immorality

20 Keep your father’s commands, my son,
    and never forsake your mother’s rules,[a]
21 by binding them to your heart continuously,
    fastening them around your neck.
22 During your travels wisdom[b] will lead you;
    she will watch over you while you rest;
and when you are startled from your sleep,
    she will commune with you.
23 Because the command is a lamp
    and the Law a light,
        rebukes that discipline are a way of life—

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:20 Or laws
  2. Proverbs 6:22 Lit. wisdom; i.e. wisdom personified as a woman

The Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise child[a] brings joy to a father;
    a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 10:1 Hebrew son; also in 10:1b.

Solomon’s Sayings

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish son grieves his mother.

Read full chapter

29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.
    The fool will be a servant to the wise.

Read full chapter

29 Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be a servant to the wise.

Read full chapter

13 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a]
    a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.

Who is a Wise Son?

13 A wise son heeds[a] a father’s correction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:1 The Heb. lacks heeds

Only a fool despises a parent’s[a] discipline;
    whoever learns from correction is wise.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 15:5 Hebrew father’s.

A fool rejects his father’s instructions,
    but anyone who respects[a] reproof acts sensibly.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps

20 Sensible children bring joy to their father;
    foolish children despise their mother.

Read full chapter

20 A wise son makes a father glad,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

Read full chapter

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
    parents[a] are the pride of their children.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 17:6 Hebrew fathers.

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the pride of children is their parents.

Read full chapter

17 A friend is always loyal,
    and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Read full chapter

17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is there[a] for times of trouble.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:17 Lit. born

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
    there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

Read full chapter

21 The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow—
    the father of a fool has no joy.

Read full chapter

25 Foolish children[a] bring grief to their father
    and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 17:25 Hebrew A foolish son.

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to his mother.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:25 Lit. to the one who bore him

19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
    Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Read full chapter

19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,
    and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

Read full chapter