Proverbs 17:21–25

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;

there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accept bribes in secret

to pervert the course of justice.

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,

but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father

and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow:

And the father of a fool hath no joy.

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

But a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom

To pervert the ways of judgment.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding;

But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,

And bitterness to her that bare him.

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool;

there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

23 The wicked take secret bribes

to pervert the course of justice.

24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,

but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 Foolish children bring grief to their father

and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,

And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back

To pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,

But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,

And bitterness to her who bore him.

21 It is sad to have a foolish child;

there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.

22 A happy heart is like good medicine,

but a broken spirit drains your strength.

23 When the wicked accept money to do wrong

there can be no justice.

24 The person with understanding is always looking for wisdom,

but the mind of a fool wanders everywhere.

25 Foolish children make their father sad

and cause their mother great sorrow.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow;

And the father of a fool hath no joy.

22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine;

But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom,

To pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding;

But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,

And bitterness to her that bare him.

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

22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

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

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

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

21 The parent of a fool has grief, 

and the father of a godless fool has no joy. 

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, 

but depression drains one’s strength. 

23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice. 

24 Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, 

but the eyes of a fool ⸤are looking around⸥ all over the world. 

25 A foolish son is a heartache to his father 

and bitter grief to his mother. 

21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;

the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23 A wicked man secretly takes a bribe

to subvert the course of justice.

24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,

but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is grief to his father

and bitterness to the one who bore him.

21 The one who fathers a fool gets trouble;

the parent of a fool has no joy.

22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe

to pervert the ways of justice.

24 The discerning person looks to wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.

25 Foolish children are a grief to their father

and bitterness to her who bore them.

21 He who begets a fool, there is trouble for him;

the father of a fool will not rejoice.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a downcast spirit will dry out bones.

23 The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap,

in order to pervert the ways of justice.

24 He who understands sets his face toward wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.

25 A grief to his father is the child of a fool,

and bitterness to her who bore him.

21 It is sad to have a foolish child.

The parents of a foolish person have no joy.

22 A cheerful heart makes you healthy.

But a broken spirit dries you up.

23 Anyone who does wrong accepts favors in secret.

Then he turns what is right into wrong.

24 Anyone who understands what is right keeps wisdom in view.

But the eyes of a foolish person look everywhere else.

25 A foolish child makes his father sad

and his mother sorry.

21 He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow,

And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,

But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom

To pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,

But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father

And bitterness to her who bore him.