Proverbs 23:22

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
– Proverbs 23:22

Verses 22-25 form a saying on honoring parents, or being a wise son. The word for hearken means to listen, to understand. The exhortation to listen extends even to when the mother is old. The word for despise means to disrespect, or hold in contempt. The warning here is against quickly dismissing the counsel of parents (Deuteronomy 27:16; Proverbs 30:11). Honoring parents is a lifelong command (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2).

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