Proverbs 15:20
New International Version
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

New Living Translation
Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

English Standard Version
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Berean Standard Bible
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

King James Bible
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

New King James Version
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

New American Standard Bible
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

NASB 1995
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

NASB 1977
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

Legacy Standard Bible
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

Amplified Bible
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

Christian Standard Bible
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

American Standard Version
A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Contemporary English Version
Children with good sense make their parents happy, but foolish children despise them.

English Revised Version
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish child despises its mother.

Good News Translation
Wise children make their fathers happy. Only fools despise their mothers.

International Standard Version
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Majority Standard Bible
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

NET Bible
A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

New Heart English Bible
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Webster's Bible Translation
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

World English Bible
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A wise son makes a father glad. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

Young's Literal Translation
A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

Smith's Literal Translation
A wise son will gladden the father: and the foolish man despised his mother.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A wise son gladdens the father. But the foolish man despises his mother.

New American Bible
A wise son gives his father joy, but a fool despises his mother.

New Revised Standard Version
A wise child makes a glad father, but the foolish despise their mothers.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A wise son makes his father happy; but a foolish son is a disgrace to his mother.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A wise son gladdens his father and a foolish son is the shame of his mother.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A wise son gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. 20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

Proverbs 17:21
A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Proverbs 23:24-25
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. / May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice!

Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” ...

1 Samuel 2:12-17
Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD / or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling / and plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. And the priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. ...

2 Samuel 15:1-6
Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...

1 Kings 1:5-6
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)


Treasury of Scripture

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

wise

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 23:15,16
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine…

Proverbs 29:3
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

despiseth

Proverbs 23:22
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Proverbs 30:17
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

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Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














A wise son
The phrase "A wise son" in Proverbs 15:20 highlights the importance of wisdom in the life of a young man. The Hebrew word for "wise" is "חָכָם" (chakam), which implies not just intelligence but a deep, practical understanding of life that aligns with God's will. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with the ability to make sound decisions that lead to prosperity and peace. A wise son, therefore, is one who listens to instruction, learns from experience, and applies God's principles in his life, bringing honor to his family.

brings joy to his father
The phrase "brings joy to his father" underscores the relational aspect of wisdom. In Hebrew culture, the family unit was central, and the actions of a son could significantly impact the family's honor and reputation. The word "joy" here is "שִׂמְחָה" (simchah), which conveys a sense of gladness and delight. A wise son not only benefits himself but also uplifts his father, reflecting the biblical principle that wisdom leads to life and blessing. This joy is not merely emotional but is rooted in the fulfillment of God's promises and the continuation of a godly legacy.

but a foolish man
The contrast begins with "but a foolish man," where "foolish" is translated from the Hebrew "כְּסִיל" (kesil). This term describes someone who is morally deficient, lacking in judgment, and resistant to correction. In the biblical context, foolishness is often equated with sinfulness and rebellion against God. A foolish man is one who disregards wisdom and instruction, leading to destructive choices that not only harm himself but also those around him. This stark contrast serves as a warning against the perils of ignoring divine wisdom.

despises his mother
The phrase "despises his mother" reveals the deep disrespect and dishonor that characterize a foolish man's actions. The Hebrew word for "despises" is "בָּזָה" (bazah), meaning to hold in contempt or to scorn. In ancient Israel, honoring one's parents was a fundamental commandment, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). To despise one's mother is to reject her authority and wisdom, leading to familial discord and societal breakdown. This phrase highlights the broader biblical theme that foolishness leads to relational strife and societal decay.

Verse 20-ch. 19:25. - Third section of this collection. Verse 20. - (For this verse, see Proverbs 10:1.) A foolish man despiseth his mother, and therefore is "heaviness" to her. Or the verb may mean "shameth." "A foolish man" is literally "a fool of a man."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A wise
חָ֭כָם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

son
בֵּ֣ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

brings joy
יְשַׂמַּח־ (yə·śam·maḥ-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

to his father,
אָ֑ב (’āḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

but a foolish
וּכְסִ֥יל (ū·ḵə·sîl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

man
אָ֝דָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

despises
בּוֹזֶ֥ה (bō·w·zeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

his mother.
אִמּֽוֹ׃ (’im·mōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:20 A wise son makes a father glad (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 15:19
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