Proverbs 27:11

11 Be wise, my son, And bring joy to my heart, Then I can answer my tormentor.

Proverbs 27:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:11

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad
That is, show thyself to be a wise man by thy words and actions; endeavour to get a good share of wisdom and knowledge, and make a good use of it, and that will rejoice my heart; as nothing more gladdens the heart of a parent than the wisdom and prudent behaviour of his son; see ( Proverbs 10:1 ) ( Proverbs 23:15 Proverbs 23:24 Proverbs 23:25 ) ;

that I may answer him that reproacheth me;
with begetting a foolish son, or a wicked man; or making him such by ill examples; or through neglect of education; or by using too much severity in it.

Proverbs 27:11 In-Context

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; So does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
10 Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: Better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.
11 Be wise, my son, And bring joy to my heart, Then I can answer my tormentor.
12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it:
13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger; Hold it for a wayward woman!
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.