He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
- BSB He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- 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 scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
- Prov 23:9Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
- 2 Chr 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
- 2 Chr 25:15–16Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
- 2 Chr 24:20–22And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
- 1 Kgs 22:24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
- 1 Kgs 18:17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
- 1 Kgs 21:20And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
- 1 Kgs 22:27And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
- Gen 19:8–9Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow 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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