Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Parallel translations
- WEB Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
- BSB Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
- NKJV Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
- NASB Drive out the scoffer, and strife will leave, Even quarreling and dishonor will cease.
- NLT Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.
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
Drive out the mocker and strife, quarrels, and insults will cease. It matters because removing the scoffer restores peace.
Overview
The scoffer is a source of contention, and his removal brings an end to conflict and abuse (Proverbs 26:20; Genesis 21:9-10). The verse shows that some strife is rooted in particular troublemakers. Wisdom acts to protect community peace by not tolerating persistent, divisive mockery.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Cor 5:13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
- Prov 26:20–21Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
- 1 Cor 5:5–6To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
- Matt 18:17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
- Gen 21:9–10And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
- Prov 21:24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
- Ps 101:5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
- Prov 18:6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
- Neh 13:28And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
- Neh 4:1–3But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
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 22:10 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
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