Passage

A son's wisdom and a father's answer

Source and translation

World English Bible, Protestant Edition · Public domain · en

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¹¹Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.

Proverbs 27:11World English Bible, Protestant Edition

The scene

A father asks his son to be wise so that his heart may rejoice and he can answer someone who reproaches him.

To understand

The request connects the son's conduct with the father's joy and response to criticism. Nearby sayings speak of friends in a crisis and of taking refuge when danger appears.

A question

Whose actions and whose reputation are connected in the father's request?