Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Parallel translations
- WEB Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.
- BSB Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
- NKJV Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.
- NASB Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is goodwill.
- NLT Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Fools make light of guilt and atonement, but the upright enjoy goodwill. Treating sin lightly is itself foolish.
Overview
This proverb (whose Hebrew is difficult) contrasts fools who scoff at the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement with the upright who find favor and goodwill. It exposes the folly of dismissing guilt rather than dealing with it rightly. The gospel takes sin with utmost seriousness, providing atonement in Christ for those who will not mock but trust (Romans 3:25).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 26:18–19As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
- Rom 14:17–18For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
- Prov 10:23It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
- Prov 13:15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
- Prov 8:35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
- Prov 30:20Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
- Jude 1:18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
- Prov 1:22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
- Prov 12:2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
- Prov 3:4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
- Job 34:7–9What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
- Job 15:16How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 14:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.