New English Translation
Proverbs 17:21
21Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.
Proverbs 17:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
- New International Version (NIV)To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
Context of Proverbs 17:21
19The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction. 20The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble. Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy. 22A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:21 word by word
יֹלֵ֣ד כְּ֭סִיל לְת֣וּגָה ל֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח אֲבִ֣י נָבָֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:21
- Proverbs 17:25A foolish child is a grief to his father, and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
- Proverbs 10:1The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father rejoice, but a foolish child is a grief to his mother.
- Proverbs 15:20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.
- Proverbs 19:13A foolish child is the ruin of his father, and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping.
- Genesis 26:34When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, as well as Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite.
- 1 Samuel 2:32You will see trouble in my dwelling place! Israel will experience blessings, but there will not be an old man in your house for all time.
- 1 Samuel 8:3But his sons did not follow his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.
- 2 Samuel 18:33(19:1) The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!”
- Proverbs 23:15My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart also will be glad;
- 2 Corinthians 2:3And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.
- 3 John 1:4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:21
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries