Proverbs 27:11 (GNV)

Passage

My sonne, be wise, and reioyce mine heart, that I may answere him that reprocheth me.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 27:9 As oyntment and perfume reioyce the heart, so doeth the sweetenes of a mans friend by hearty counsell.

Proverbs 27:10 Thine owne friend and thy fathers friend forsake thou not: neither enter into thy brothers house in the day of thy calamitie: for better is a neighbour that is neere, then a brother farre off.

Proverbs 27:11 My sonne, be wise, and reioyce mine heart, that I may answere him that reprocheth me.

Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man seeth the plague, and hideth himselfe: but the foolish goe on still, and are punished.

Proverbs 27:13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "sonne", "wise", "reioyce", "mine", "heart", "answere", and "reprocheth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "sonne" and "wise", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "Thine owne friend and thy fathers friend..." into verse 12's "A prudent man seeth the plague and...", so "sonne" and "wise" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "sonne" and "wise" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.