Lectionary Calendar
Monday, July 7th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Proverbs 17:21
Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- CharlesParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;the father of a fool has no joy.
A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;the father of a fool has no joy.
Hebrew Names Version
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
King James Version
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
English Standard Version
He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
New American Standard Bible
He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
New Century Version
It is sad to have a foolish child; there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.
It is sad to have a foolish child; there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.
Amplified Bible
He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.
He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.
World English Bible
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
Geneva Bible (1587)
He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
Legacy Standard Bible
He who begets a fool does so to his grief,And the father of a wicked fool is not glad.
He who begets a fool does so to his grief,And the father of a wicked fool is not glad.
Berean Standard Bible
A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
Contemporary English Version
It's never pleasant to be the parent of a fool and have nothing but pain.
It's never pleasant to be the parent of a fool and have nothing but pain.
Complete Jewish Bible
He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a boor has no joy.
He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a boor has no joy.
Darby Translation
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
Easy-to-Read Version
A man who has a fool for a son will be disappointed. A fool brings no joy to his father.
A man who has a fool for a son will be disappointed. A fool brings no joy to his father.
George Lamsa Translation
He who begets a fool does it to his own shame; his father will have no joy in him.
He who begets a fool does it to his own shame; his father will have no joy in him.
Good News Translation
There is nothing but sadness and sorrow for parents whose children do foolish things.
There is nothing but sadness and sorrow for parents whose children do foolish things.
Lexham English Bible
He who begets a fool, there is trouble for him; the father of a fool will not rejoice.
He who begets a fool, there is trouble for him; the father of a fool will not rejoice.
Literal Translation
He who fathers a fool has sorrow for it; yea, the father of a fool has no joy.
He who fathers a fool has sorrow for it; yea, the father of a fool has no joy.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
An vnwyse body bryngeth himselfe in to sorowe, and ye father of a foole can haue no ioye.
An vnwyse body bryngeth himselfe in to sorowe, and ye father of a foole can haue no ioye.
American Standard Version
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
Bible in Basic English
He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.
He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
King James Version (1611)
He that begetteth a foole, doth it to his sorrow: and the father of a foole hath no ioy.
He that begetteth a foole, doth it to his sorrow: and the father of a foole hath no ioy.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
He that begetteth a foole, begetteth his sorowe: and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
He that begetteth a foole, begetteth his sorowe: and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
English Revised Version
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
A fool is borun in his schenschipe; but nether the fadir schal be glad in a fool.
A fool is borun in his schenschipe; but nether the fadir schal be glad in a fool.
Update Bible Version
He that begets a fool [does it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool has no joy.
He that begets a fool [does it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool has no joy.
Webster's Bible Translation
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
New English Translation
Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.
Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.
New King James Version
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
New Living Translation
It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
New Life Bible
A foolish son is a sorrow to his father, and the father of a fool has no joy.
A foolish son is a sorrow to his father, and the father of a fool has no joy.
New Revised Standard
The one who begets a fool gets trouble; the parent of a fool has no joy.
The one who begets a fool gets trouble; the parent of a fool has no joy.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
Douay-Rheims Bible
A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
Revised Standard Version
A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool has no joy.
A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool has no joy.
Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
Contextual Overview
21 Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
that: Proverbs 17:25, Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 15:20, Proverbs 19:13, Genesis 26:34, 1 Samuel 2:32-35, 1 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 18:33
hath: Proverbs 23:15, Proverbs 23:16, 2 Corinthians 2:3, Philemon 1:19, Philemon 1:20, 3 John 1:4
Reciprocal: Proverbs 29:15 - a child Ezekiel 18:14 - if he
Cross-References
Genesis 17:3
Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face. Then God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, meaning that ‘I'm making you the father of many nations.' I'll make you a father of fathers—I'll make nations from you, kings will issue from you. I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, a covenant that includes your descendants, a covenant that goes on and on and on, a covenant that commits me to be your God and the God of your descendants. And I'm giving you and your descendants this land where you're now just camping, this whole country of Canaan, to own forever. And I'll be their God."
Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face. Then God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, meaning that ‘I'm making you the father of many nations.' I'll make you a father of fathers—I'll make nations from you, kings will issue from you. I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, a covenant that includes your descendants, a covenant that goes on and on and on, a covenant that commits me to be your God and the God of your descendants. And I'm giving you and your descendants this land where you're now just camping, this whole country of Canaan, to own forever. And I'll be their God."
Genesis 18:10
One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
Genesis 46:1
So Israel set out on the journey with everything he owned. He arrived at Beersheba and worshiped, offering sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
So Israel set out on the journey with everything he owned. He arrived at Beersheba and worshiped, offering sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
Exodus 2:24
God listened to their groanings. God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
God listened to their groanings. God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Exodus 3:6
Then he said, "I am the God of your father: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God.
Then he said, "I am the God of your father: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God.
Acts 1:7
He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow,.... As it proves in the issue; though it was joy to him when a man child was born, and took delight in him while in infancy and childhood, and promised himself much happiness in him when at years of discretion; but, instead of that, he departs from his education principles, despises all parental counsels and advice, and goes into all the extravagance of sin and folly; which is an heartbreaking to his godly and religious parents; for this is to be understood; not of an idiot, but of a wicked son, taking bad courses;
and the father of a fool hath no joy; in his son, but sorrow, and has scarce any joy or pleasure in anything else in all his enjoyments; the trouble he is filled with on his account embitters all he has, that he can take no satisfaction, or have any comfort of life; the concern for his son is uppermost in his thoughts, and hinders him from taking that pleasure which otherwise he might enjoy.
