Proverbs 23:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

NIV: The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

NASB: The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

CSB: The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

NLT: The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

KJV: The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

NKJV: The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

Once again Solomon emphasizes the joy felt by parents when their children act with good sense and integrity (Proverbs 15:20; 23:15–16, 25). This verse, along with the next, implies that whether a person lives wisely is their own choice. Scripture encourages parents to raise children with wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 13:24; 22:6), while recognizing that children must make their own decisions (Proverbs 13:1; 15:5; 28:7). A child who acts contrary to godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) brings grief to their parents (Proverbs 17:21).

The highest degree of wisdom is demonstrated in reverence for God and obedience to His will. Jesus, the Son of God, pleased His heavenly Father by exercising wisdom and doing His will. Jesus said, "I always do the things that are pleasing to him [the Father]" (John 8:29). When Jesus was transfigured on a mountain, God the Father exclaimed, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Matthew 17:5).

To be seen as righteous in God's sight requires trust in Christ as Savior (Galatians 2:16; 3:11). God sees the born-again believer as righteous in Christ, and He imparts righteousness to the believer. This is sometimes referred to as "imputed" righteousness (Romans 3:21–22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). This also means Christ imparts within us the capacity to lead a righteous life (Romans 8:1–4).

Proverbs 23:22–25 appeals to the example of a godly father. The following section contains a strong warning about sexual sin. That is followed by an extensive, blunt assessment of the dangers of drunkenness. These are all part of thirty wise teachings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21).

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

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.