He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
- KJV He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
- NKJV “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
- NASB ¶One who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And one who rebukes a wicked person gets insults for himself.
- NLT Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
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
Correcting a mocker invites insult, and rebuking the wicked invites abuse. Some respond to correction with hostility rather than humility.
Overview
This begins a brief reflection distinguishing how different people receive reproof. The scoffer and the wicked react to correction with contempt and retaliation, exposing a hardened heart. Scripture consistently teaches that the way one responds to rebuke reveals one's character, and Jesus likewise counseled discernment in offering truth to the unwilling (Matthew 7:6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Prov 15:12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
- Prov 23:9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
- 2 Chr 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
- 2 Chr 25:15–16Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?”
- 2 Chr 24:20–22Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
- 1 Kgs 22:24Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”
- 1 Kgs 18:17When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
- 1 Kgs 21:20When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.
- 1 Kgs 22:27and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”
- Gen 19:8–9Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them to you, and you can do to them as you please. But do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
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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 9:7 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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