My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
My son, be wise ... that I may answer him that reproacheth me - as though my son were a fool, or one badly reared. Ungodly children are a great 'reproach' before the world to their parents. Such were Eli's sons to him (1 Samuel 2:17; 1 Samuel 2:23-24). They disqualify a minister for usefulness (1 Timothy 3:4-5).