Proverbs 17:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

NIV: A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

NASB: A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.

CSB: A foolish son is grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

NLT: Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

KJV: A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

NKJV: A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

This verse repeats a prior thought (Proverbs 17:21), but with a stronger emphasis. Verse 21 carries the idea of sorrow and worry. The term used here, translated as "grief," leans more to ideas like offense and anger. The idea that ungodly children bring pain to their families is a common refrain in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1, 5; 19:26; 29:15).

Because a father is supposed to instruct his children in the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6), he is deeply grieved when a foolish son rebels against his teaching and turns away from the Lord. A mother experiences bitterness if her son spurns her tender care and love. The father of the prodigal must have felt great sorrow when his son demanded his inheritance and left for a sinful life (Luke 15:11–13). Children raised in Christian homes may yield to peer pressure and anti-Christian philosophy. Some, sadly, cast aside the teaching and influence of godly parents.

Of course, a father may provoke his children (Ephesians 6:4) through improper actions; parents bear responsibility for how they treat their children, even if the child's response is part of their free choice.

Proverbs 17:22–28 continues Solomon's wise sayings. He commends a joyful heart, a calm spirit, and controlled speech, but he points out the bad effects of sins of negativity, bribery, imposing fines on righteous people, and opposing the righteous.

This portion of Solomon's wise sayings involves several recurring themes. Among these are the importance of controlling one's words: hasty or spiteful language can do great harm. He also notes how wisdom and foolishness tend to be self-perpetuating. Wise people seek wisdom, foolish people seem immune to it. Other important topics are the impact of ungodly children on a family and the value of integrity and common sense.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.