Proverbs 17:21-25

King James Version

²¹He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

²²A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

²³A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

²⁴Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Proverbs 17:21-25

New International Version

²¹To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.^(A)

²²A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed^(B) spirit dries up the bones.^(C)

²³The wicked accept bribes^(D) in secret
to pervert the course of justice.^(E)

²⁴A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes^(F) wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.^(G)

²⁰Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

²⁰If someone curses their father or mother,^(A)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.^(B)

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

New International Version (NIV)