Proverbs 23:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

NIV: May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!

NASB: Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.

CSB: Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.

NLT: So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

KJV: Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

NKJV: Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.

A son or daughter's wise, righteous living causes his parents to rejoice. This is the second half of a comment started in the previous verse (Proverbs 23:24). In this section, Solomon outlined ways in which a child can make their parents glad. Such a person does not envy sinners (Proverbs 23:17). They incline their heart to follow the right path through life (Proverbs 23:19). They avoid the influence of drunkards and gluttons (Proverbs 23:20). They pay close attention to the wisdom of their father and respect their mother (Proverbs 23:22). They make a sincere effort to gain godly wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 23:23).

Even when He was a child, Jesus exhibited conduct and character that must have brought joy to Joseph and Mary. Luke 2:51 says He was submissive to Joseph and Mary, and Luke 2:52 says He "increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." When a son shows similar conduct and character, his father and mother rejoice.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 11:05:49 PM