Proverbs 29:3
New International Version
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

New Living Translation
The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

English Standard Version
He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

Berean Standard Bible
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

King James Bible
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

New King James Version
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

New American Standard Bible
A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who involves himself with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

NASB 1995
A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

NASB 1977
A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

Legacy Standard Bible
A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who befriends harlots destroys his wealth.

Amplified Bible
A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful, But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

Christian Standard Bible
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.

American Standard Version
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

Contemporary English Version
If you love wisdom your parents will be glad, but chasing after bad women will cost you everything.

English Revised Version
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person who loves wisdom makes his father happy, but one who pays prostitutes wastes his wealth.

Good News Translation
If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you. It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.

International Standard Version
The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but anyone who consorts with immoral women squanders his wealth.

Majority Standard Bible
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

NET Bible
The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

World English Bible
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A man loving wisdom makes his father glad, "" And a friend of harlots destroys wealth.

Young's Literal Translation
A man loving wisdom rejoiceth his father, And a friend of harlots destroyeth wealth.

Smith's Literal Translation
A man loving wisdom will gladden his father: and he feeding harlots shall destroy riches.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth bar lots, shall squander away his substance.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The man who loves wisdom rejoices his father. But whoever nurtures promiscuous women will lose his substance.

New American Bible
Whoever loves wisdom gives joy to his father, but whoever consorts with harlots squanders his wealth.

New Revised Standard Version
A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad, but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one’s substance.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who loves wisdom rejoices his father; but he who keeps company with harlots shall lose his substance.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A man that loves wisdom gladdens his father and he that traffics with prostitution will destroy his possessions.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.…

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

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

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 28:7
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Proverbs 5:1-14
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight, / that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. / Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, ...

Proverbs 6:20-29
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. / Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. / When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. ...

Proverbs 7:6-27
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. / I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, / crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, ...

Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

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

Proverbs 19:26
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 20:20
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

Proverbs 23:19-21
Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course. / Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. / For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes? / Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks. / Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. ...

Ephesians 5:15-17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil. / Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

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. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Whoever loves wisdom rejoices his father: but he that keeps company with harlots spends his substance.

loveth

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 15:20
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 23:15,24,25
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine…

he

Proverbs 5:8-10
Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: …

Proverbs 6:26
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

Proverbs 21:17,20
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich…

Jump to Previous
Companion Company Destroyeth Friend Glad Goes Harlots Joy Keepeth Keeps Loose Loves Makes Prostitutes Rejoiceth Spendeth Substance Waster Wastes Wasteth Wealth Wisdom Women
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Companion Company Destroyeth Friend Glad Goes Harlots Joy Keepeth Keeps Loose Loves Makes Prostitutes Rejoiceth Spendeth Substance Waster Wastes Wasteth Wealth Wisdom Women
Proverbs 29
1. observations of public government
15. and of private
22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption














A man who loves wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wisdom" here is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which encompasses not only knowledge but also the skillful application of knowledge in daily life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued as a divine gift that guided moral and ethical living. The phrase suggests that a man who earnestly seeks and cherishes wisdom is not only enriching his own life but also honoring his family, particularly his father. This reflects the biblical principle that wisdom is foundational to a life that pleases God and benefits others.

brings joy to his father
The joy mentioned here is profound, rooted in the Hebrew word "שִׂמְחָה" (simchah), which implies a deep, abiding gladness. In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, a father's joy was often tied to the success and righteousness of his children. A son who pursues wisdom is seen as a source of pride and fulfillment for his father, as he embodies the values and teachings imparted to him. This joy is not merely emotional but is also a testament to the father's legacy and the continuation of a godly lineage.

but a companion of prostitutes
The term "companion" is derived from the Hebrew "רֵעַ" (rea), meaning friend or associate. This phrase warns against forming close associations with those who engage in immoral behavior, specifically prostitution, which was condemned in Israelite society. The reference to "prostitutes" highlights a lifestyle of indulgence and moral compromise, contrasting sharply with the pursuit of wisdom. This serves as a cautionary tale about the company one keeps and the potential for negative influences to lead one astray.

squanders his wealth
The Hebrew word for "squanders" is "זָרָה" (zarah), which conveys the idea of scattering or wasting resources. This phrase illustrates the inevitable consequence of a life lived without wisdom and restraint. In biblical times, wealth was not only a measure of material prosperity but also a symbol of God's blessing and provision. To squander one's wealth is to disregard the stewardship entrusted by God, leading to ruin and shame. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of wise and prudent living, aligning one's actions with God's will to ensure lasting prosperity and honor.

(3) Whoso loveth wisdom . . .--This verse is illustrated by the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15).

Verse 3. - The first hemistich is a variation of Proverbs 10. I (where see note). Keepeth company with; literally, feedeth, as Proverbs 28:7. Harlots (see on Proverbs 6:26). Such vice leads to the wasting of substance (Luke 15:13), and the great sorrow of the parent. Septuagint, "But he that pastureth (ποιμαίνει) harlots shall waste wealth."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A man
אִֽישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who loves
אֹהֵ֣ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

wisdom
חָ֭כְמָה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

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

to his father,
אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

but a companion
וְרֹעֶ֥ה (wə·rō·‘eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

of prostitutes
ז֝וֹנ֗וֹת (zō·w·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry

squanders
יְאַבֶּד־ (yə·’ab·beḏ-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

his wealth.
הֽוֹן׃ (hō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1952: Wealth, sufficiency


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 29:2
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