Proverbs 27:11

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

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me.

My child, how happy I will be if you turn out to be wise! Then I will be able to answer my critics.

Become wise, dear child, and make me happy; then nothing the world throws my way will upset me.

My son, be wise and make my heart glad, so that I may give back an answer to him who puts me to shame.

Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me.

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

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).