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

Other Translations of Proverbs 17:21

New International Version

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

English Standard Version

21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

The Message

21 Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.

New King James Version

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

New Living Translation

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 17:21

Commentary on Proverbs 17:21

(Read Proverbs 17:21)

This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child.

The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Other Translations of Proverbs 10:1

New International Version

The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

English Standard Version

The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

The Message

The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.

New King James Version

The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

New Living Translation

The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 10:1

Commentary on Proverbs 10:1

(Read Proverbs 10:1)

The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties.