Proverbs 9:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

NIV: Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

NASB: Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.

CSB: Don't rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke the wise, and he will love you.

NLT: So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.

KJV: Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

NKJV: Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Proverbs depicts wisdom as a woman calling out to anyone who will hear (Proverbs 8:1–4). In this chapter, that imagery includes Wisdom building a house and preparing a feast (Proverbs 9:1–6). Of course, not all people want to receive wisdom. Some, so committed to their own desires, will hatefully attack anyone who questions them (Proverbs 9:7). To "reprove" is to apply correction, conviction, reason, or pleading to another person. People inclined to mock or dismiss what they don't want to hear respond to correction with hatred. In contrast, a person with a wise attitude will appreciate the correction.

Jesus, the epitome of wisdom, called for repentance from sin. Those who wisely turn from their sin and believe in Jesus no longer love their sin but love Jesus. Peter, for example, admitted in the presence of Jesus that he was a sinful man, but when he became a believer and followed Jesus, he loved Jesus. His love was not always perfect, but he confessed that he loved Jesus (John 21:15–17). Later, he proved his love for Jesus by bravely proclaiming Him as Lord and Savior to a crowd of Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41) and by suffering for His sake (Acts 5:27–42; 12:1–5).

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.