Paragraph 9:7–12
In this paragraph, the author or teacher contrasts the different ways in which a wise person and a mocker respond to advice. He also emphasizes that it is important to fear the LORD in order to become wise.
In Hebrew, the “you” pronouns used in this paragraph are singular. The Display will also use you(sing). You may use whatever forms are natural in your language.
9:7
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
7a
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself ;
7b
he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
9:7a–b
corrects…rebukes: The Hebrew verb yasar, which the Berean Standard Bible translates here as corrects, comes from the same root as musar “moral instruction.” It means to try to change or improve someone else’s behavior by instructing, scolding, or disciplining him. The word translated as rebukes means “reprimand” (Good News Translation) or “scolds.” The same verb is also used in the two lines of 9:8.
a mocker…a wicked man: Although a mocker is also “conceited” (Good News Translation) and a “bragger” (Contemporary English Version), the word refers mainly to someone who scorns or makes fun of someone or something. The Hebrew text does not specify who or what a mocker mocks. If it is necessary to make this explicit in your language, see the suggestions in the note on 1:22b. The word wicked is a general word that describes anyone who is evil.
brings shame on himself…taints himself: The phrase translated as brings shame on himself means “to procure/get” insult for oneself. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
earn abuse (Revised English Bible)
-or-
receives abuse (God’s Word)
-or-
you will only be insulted (Good News Translation)
The word shame also means “dishonor” or “contempt.” These words all refer to verbal insult or abuse of some kind. The parallel word taints probably includes the idea of physical harm as well as verbal abuse. For example:
gets hurt (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
incurs injury (English Standard Version)
The meaning of the whole verse is expressed well by the New Century Version:
If you correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, you will be insulted. If you correct an evil person, you will get hurt. (New Century Version)
Notice that both lines express a consequence. Being insulted and harmed is the consequence of correcting someone.
General Comment on 9:7a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. This will avoid the implication that correcting a mocker will have a different result from rebuking a wicked person. For example:
If you correct or rebuke an evil person who makes fun of wisdom, you will only be insulted and injured.
See also 9:7a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.
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