“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you”: “Reprove” translates the same word as used in line 2 of verse 7. “Scoffer” is as in verse 7. “Hate” is as in 1.22, where the fool is a person who hates knowledge.

“Reprove a wise man, and he will love you”: This line is the first of three very similar lines, which contrast with the three previous lines. “Reprove” repeats the word from the previous line. “Wise man” translates a masculine singular noun but is best understood in a general sense and not as referring exclusively to a male adult. New Revised Standard Version says “the wise.” See Good News Translation. Contemporary English Version translates “if you correct someone who has common sense. . ..” “Love you” is the literal rendering of the Hebrew, but this may not be adequate in other languages. Some other renderings are Good News Translation “respect you,” New English Bible/Revised English Bible “will be your friend,” and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “you will win his appreciation.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .