Proverbs 17:21-25
Proverbs 17:21-25 The Message (MSG)
Having a fool for a child is misery; it’s no fun being the parent of a dolt. A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. The wicked take bribes under the table; they show nothing but contempt for justice. The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here. A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.
Proverbs 17:21-25 King James Version (KJV)
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: And the father of a fool hath no joy. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom To pervert the ways of judgment. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
Proverbs 17:21-25 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice. Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.
Proverbs 17:21-25 New Century Version (NCV)
It is sad to have a foolish child; there is no joy in being the parent of a fool. A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength. When the wicked accept money to do wrong there can be no justice. The person with understanding is always looking for wisdom, but the mind of a fool wanders everywhere. Foolish children make their father sad and cause their mother great sorrow.
Proverbs 17:21-25 American Standard Version (ASV)
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy. A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones. A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice. Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
Proverbs 17:21-25 New International Version (NIV)
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
Proverbs 17:21-25 New King James Version (NKJV)
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
Proverbs 17:21-25 Amplified Bible (AMP)
He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy. A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. [Prov 12:25; 15:13, 15] A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket To pervert the ways of justice. [Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it], But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.
Proverbs 17:21-25 New Living Translation (NLT)
It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice. Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
Proverbs 17:21-25 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Parents of a numbskull will have many sorrows, for there’s nothing about his lifestyle that will make them proud. A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression. When you take a secret bribe, your actions reveal your true character, for you pervert the ways of justice. Even the face of a wise man shows his intelligence. But the wandering eyes of a fool will look for wisdom everywhere except right in front of his nose. A father grieves over the foolishness of his child, and bitter sorrow fills his mother.
Proverbs 17:21-25 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
