Proverbs 15:20
 Proverbs 15:20 
New International Version (©2011)
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

English Standard Version (©2001)
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

International Standard Version (©2012)
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

NET Bible (©2006)
A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
A wise son gladdens his father and a foolish son is the shame of his mother.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish child despises its mother.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.

American King James Version
A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.

American Standard Version
A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Douay-Rheims Bible
A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

Darby Bible Translation
A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

English Revised Version
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Webster's Bible Translation
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

World English Bible
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Young's Literal Translation
A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:16,17. Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked. 18. He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled. 19. Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty. 20. Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly. 21. Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy. 22. If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass. 23. Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions. 24. A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20-ch. 19:25. - Third section of this collection. Verse 20. - (For this verse, see Proverbs 10:1.) A foolish man despiseth his mother, and therefore is "heaviness" to her. Or the verb may mean "shameth." "A foolish man" is literally "a fool of a man."


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

A wise son maketh a glad father,.... See Gill on Proverbs 10:1;

but a foolish man despiseth his mother; that bore him and brought him up, and perhaps was too indulgent to him; which aggravates his sin and her sorrow; See Gill on Proverbs 10:1; or causes her to be despised by others, as Jarchi interprets it; such a man's sin, which is great folly, and shows him to be a foolish man, is highly resented by the Lord, and will be severely punished; see Proverbs 30:17. The Targum is,

"a foolish son despises his mother;''

and so the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, which makes the antithesis more clear; and the Hebrew text designs one grown up to man's estate.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20. (Compare Pr 10:1).


Proverbs 15:20 Parallel Commentaries

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A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly. …

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
Proverbs 29:3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Proverbs 30:17 "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.