24:9

This verse adds other details to the general statement in 24:8. There are no parallel parts.

9a A foolish scheme is sin,

9b and a mocker is detestable to men.

24:9a

A foolish scheme is sin: A foolish scheme refer to the evil plots made by the schemer in the previous verse. Here in 24:9a, these foolish schemes are identified as sin. Another way to translate this clause is:

The schemes of folly are sin (New International Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to make explicit the person who plans these foolish schemes. For example:

Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. (Good News Translation)
-or-
A fool who makes such wicked plans commits sin.

24:9b

and a mocker is detestable to men: In Hebrew, this line is literally “and a mocker is an abomination to a person.” This is a very strong expression. It indicates that people consider a mocker “abhorrent” (New Jerusalem Bible), “disgusting” (God’s Word), repulsive, or nauseating.

mocker: A person who is “proud” and “arrogant” treats others with scorn. He “mocks” or makes fun of both other people and God.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

and a mocker is disgusting to everyone (God’s Word)
-or-
and people utterly hate someone who mocks other people

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