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22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?(A)

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22 “How long will you clueless people love your naïveté,
    mockers hold their mocking dear,
    and fools hate knowledge?

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34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
    but to the humble he shows favor.(A)

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34 He mocks mockers,
    but he shows favor to the humble.

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General Maxims

Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
    whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.(A)
Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
    rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(B)

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Wise advice

Whoever instructs the cynic gets insulted;
    whoever corrects the wicked gets hurt.
Don’t correct the impudent, or they will hate you;
    correct the wise, and they will love you.

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A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
    but knowledge is easy for one who understands.

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A mocker searches for wisdom and gets none,
    but knowledge comes quickly to the intelligent.

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12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
    they will not go to the wise.(A)

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12 Mockers don’t like those who correct them.
    They won’t go to the wise.

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25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.(A)

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25 Strike someone who scoffs, and a naive person will become clever;
    correct someone with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.

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29 Punishments are prepared for scoffers
    and flogging for the backs of fools.(A)

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29 Punishments were made for mockers,
    and blows for the backs of fools.

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11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser;
    when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.(A)

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11 When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom;
    when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.

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24 The proud, haughty person, named Scoffer,
    acts with arrogant pride.(A)

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24 Incredibly proud—mockers are their name!
    Their conduct involves excessive pride.

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10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife goes out;
    quarreling and abuse will cease.(A)

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10 Remove the mocker and conflict disappears;
    judgment and shame also stop.

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The devising of folly is sin,
    and the scoffer is an abomination to all.

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The scheming of fools is sin;
    people detest mockers.

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Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.(A)

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Mockers set a city on fire,
    but the wise turn back anger.

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