Proverbs 17:21

The Message

Having a fool for a child is misery; it’s no fun being the parent of a dolt.

Cross References

Genesis 26:34

When Esau was forty years old he married Judith, daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, daughter of Elon the Hittite. They turned out to be thorns in the sides of Isaac and Rebekah. * * *

2 Samuel 18:33

The king was stunned. Heartbroken, he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he wept he cried out, O my son Absalom, my dear, dear son Absalom! Why not me rather than you, my death and not yours, O Absalom, my dear, dear son!

Proverbs 10:1

Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.

Proverbs 15:20

Intelligent children make their parents proud; lazy students embarrass their parents.

Proverbs 17:25

A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.

Proverbs 19:13

A parent is worn to a frazzle by an irresponsible child; a nagging spouse is a leaky faucet.

2 Corinthians 2:3

That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming—so I wouldn’t have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn’t write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care—oh, more than care—love you!