Proverbs 9:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

NIV: Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

NASB: One who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And one who rebukes a wicked person gets insults for himself.

CSB: The one who corrects a mocker will bring abuse on himself; the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.

NLT: Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

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.

Solomon begins to note the differences between those who sincerely seek truth and those who will only listen to what they want to hear. The "scoffer" depicted here is unteachable, defined by a Hebrew word meaning "mocker, inflated, scorner." These are the people who hate any attempt to change their mind, preferring to continue along their current path. They respond to other views with arrogance and ridicule. This is the same person as the "wicked" man, coming from a different Hebrew word, who lashes out violently at the person who tries to tell him the truth. This lashing out includes slander: the term translated "injury" implies stains or slander. Well-meaning people have often suffered backlash from those who respond to criticism with hateful anger (Proverbs 9:8).

This unhappy response to truth happened to Jesus. When Christ came to earth, He came to His own people, the Jews, but they rejected Him (John 1:11). Often, Jesus offered the kingdom to Israel, but the nation spurned His offer.

This rejection also happened to men like Paul. At a synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia, Paul reviewed Israel's history and spoke of Jesus' death and resurrection (Acts 13:13–30). He identified himself and his coworkers as witnesses to the Jews and identified the good news of salvation as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel (Acts 13:31–41). At the request of the people, Paul spoke again the following Sabbath, but hardhearted Jews reviled Paul (Acts 13:42–45). In turn, Paul and his companion Barnabas said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46).

Proverbs 9:7–12 bridges the other two sections of this chapter. The first depicts Wisdom as a generous, benevolent woman calling on others to respond to her invitation and live (Proverbs 9:1–6). The last segment portrays Wisdom's mirror image, Folly, who entices others with lies and deception, leading to their death. In this section of Proverbs 9, Solomon describes what is at stake in the decision between these two proverbial women. This also notes the inherent difference between those who sincerely seek wisdom, versus those who can only stand to be told what they want to hear.

Wisdom is portrayed as a dignified woman who prepares a spacious house and feast. She invites those who are gullible and lacking judgment to improve their wisdom, by accepting her invitation. She urges invitees to abandon their simple ways and walk in the way of insight. Solomon then contrasts the attitudes of those who sincerely seek truth, compared to those who hate being corrected. The chapter ends with a description of Wisdom's mirror image: Folly. She is seductive and ignorant. She invites the gullible to enter her house, promising that immorality is enjoyable and pleasant. Sadly, those who are seduced do not realize her invitation leads to ruin and damnation.

In chapter 7, Solomon portrayed an evil woman (Proverbs 7:7–27). In chapter 8 he portrays wisdom as a refined lady who offers instruction to all who heed her call. Chapter 9 contrasts Lady Wisdom with the evil Woman Folly, who lures the foolish to their ruin. This extended warning about the dangers of rejecting God's wisdom leads into an extended collection of standalone proverbial comments, beginning in chapter 10.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.