Proverbs 27:11

Be wise, my son, ¹  and make my heart glad, so that I may answer ²  anyone who taunts me. ³ 

Ps 119:42; Ps 127:4,5; Pr 10:1; Pr 15:20; Pr 23:15,16,24,25; Ec 2:18-21; Phm 1:7,19,20; 2Jo 1:4

¹ tn Heb “my son”; the reference to a “son” is retained in the translation here because in the following lines the advice is to avoid women who are prostitutes.

² tn The verb is the cohortative of שׁוּב (shuv); after the two imperatives that provide the instruction, this form with the vav will indicate the purpose or result (indirect volitive sequence).

³ sn The expression anyone who taunts me refers to those who would reproach or treat the sage with contempt, condemning him as a poor teacher. Teachers are often criticized for the faults and weaknesses of their students; but any teacher criticized that way takes pleasure in pointing to those who have learned as proof that he has not labored in vain (e.g., 1 Thess 2:19-20; 3:8).