Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(A)
Do not rebuke mockers(B) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(C)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(D)

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The one who corrects a mocker
will bring dishonor on himself;
the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.[a]
Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;(A)
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.(B)
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:7 Lit man his blemish

10 Whoever winks maliciously(A) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(B)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(C)

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10 A sly wink of the eye(A) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(B)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(C)

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(A)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(B)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(D)

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(A)

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(B)

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(A)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(B)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(D)

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(A)

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(B)

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13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(A)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(B)

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13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(A)

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13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(C)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(D)

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13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(A)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(B)

14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(C)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(D)

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16 Fools(A) show their annoyance at once,(B)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(C)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(D)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(E)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(F)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

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16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(A)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(B)

18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(C)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(D)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(E)

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22 The Lord detests lying lips,(A)
    but he delights(B) in people who are trustworthy.(C)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(D)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(E)

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22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(A)
but faithful people are His delight.(B)

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(C)

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25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(A)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

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25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(A)

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From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(A)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(B) preserve their lives,(C)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(D)

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From the words of his mouth,
a man will enjoy good things,(A)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(B)

The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(C)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(D)

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A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(A)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(B)

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The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[a]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Some emend to In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back