Translation commentary on Proverbs 15:12

“A scoffer does not like to be reproved”: “A scoffer”, as defined in 1.22, is a person who expresses contempt for God, religion, and wisdom. This line is almost the same as 9.8b and 13.1b.

“He will not go to the wise”: This line extends the idea expressed in the first line. In this line we should understand “go for advice,” “seek counsel,” or “ask for instruction.”

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 15:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 15:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “A proud person does not want to be corrected,
    and he distances himself from wise people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those who mock others
    do not desire correction,
    so they stay far away from good people.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The man who mocks does not want to-be-rebuked; he does not want to-be-counseled by the wise (people).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The mocker, he dislikes/refuses to be-advised. He absolutely will not have-himself-be-taught by the wise.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Some people do not want to be corrected;
    they never go to wise people to seek good advice from them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 15:12

15:12

In this verse, 15:12b gives the result of 15:12a.

12a A mocker does not love to be reproved,

12b nor will he consult the wise.

Some ways to translate this relationship are:

• Make it explicit that 15:12b is a result. For example:

12a A mocker resents correction,

12b
⌊so⌋ he will not consult the wise.

• Give the result before the reason. For example:

12b A mocker will not consult the wise,

12a
⌊because⌋ he resents correction.

Use a natural way in your language to express this kind of relationship.

15:12a

A mocker does not love to be reproved: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as does not love is literally “loves not.” The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be reproved is literally “⌊one⌋ to reprove him.” Some other ways to express the meaning of this line are:

Scoffers do not like to be rebuked (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
A mocker does not appreciate a warning (God’s Word)
-or-
A scoffer does not love one who reproves him (New American Standard Bible)

mocker:

15:12b

nor will he consult the wise: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consult literally means “walk/go to.” In this context, it indicates that someone who scoffs at others will not go to them for advice. This line may be expressed with or without a negative word such as “not.” For example:

they will not ask the wise for advice (New Century Version)
-or-
so they stay away from the wise (New Living Translation (2004))

Notice that the New Living Translation (2004) uses the word “so” to indicate that 15:12b is a result of 15:12a.

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