14:9

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

9a
Fools mock the making of amends,

9b but goodwill is found among the upright.

14:9a

Fools mock the making of amends: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the making of amends is a noun that usually means “guilt offering” or “guilt.” There are two main ways to interpret this line:

(1) Fools scorn the need to make a guilt or reparation offering for sin. For example:

Fools mock at the sacrifice for sin (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Fools mock at the guilt offering (English Standard Version)

See Leviticus 5:1–6 for a description of the reparation offering.

(2) Fools mock at guilt/sin. For example:

Foolish people don’t care if they sin (Good News Translation)
-or-
Stubborn fools make fun of guilt (God’s Word)

The Display follows interpretation (1), but you may follow either interpretation. Both are well supported.

If you follow interpretation (1), you may find it awkward to specify a “guilt offering.” If that is true in your language, you may use a phrase that refers instead to making amends. You do not need to specify an offering, since Proverbs does not elsewhere mention the Levitical offerings. For example:

Fools mock at reparation (NET Bible)
-or-
Fools are too arrogant to make amends (Revised English Bible)

Fools: In Hebrew, this word for Fools implies insolence and stubbornness.

14:9b

but goodwill is found among the upright: In Hebrew, this line is literally “between/among upright ⌊people⌋ ⌊is⌋ favor.” There are three ways to interpret who shows favor to whom:

(1) The upright show favor to each other. They make amends if they wrong each other. They also act in a way that results in mutual acceptance and goodwill. For example:

the upright know what reconciliation requires (Revised English Bible)

(2) God shows favor to the upright. He is pleased by their good conduct. For example:

but the upright enjoy God’s favor (New Revised Standard Version)

(3) Being an upright person involves forgiveness. For example:

but good people want to be forgiven (Good News Translation)

It is not clear whether the Good News Translation means “forgiven by God” or “forgiven by those they have wronged.” The God’s Word is similarly ambiguous.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars. This interpretation provides a good parallel with 14:9a. The idea of mutual goodwill also fits better with the phrase “between/among the upright.”

goodwill: This word refers to acceptance, favor, or good relations.

upright: This word refers to people whose conduct is fair, honest, and straightforward. See the note on 11:3a.

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