34 He mocks(A) proud mockers(B)
    but shows favor to the humble(C) and oppressed.

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

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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)

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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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12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

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12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it.(A)

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13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

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13 A wise child loves discipline,[a]
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 13.1 Cn: Heb A wise child the discipline of his father

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(A)

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

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12 Mockers resent correction,(A)
    so they avoid the wise.

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

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Whoever mocks the poor(A) shows contempt for their Maker;(B)
    whoever gloats over disaster(C) will not go unpunished.(D)

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Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.(A)

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25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning,(A) and they will gain knowledge.(B)

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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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24 The proud and arrogant person(A)—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.

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

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10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(A)

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

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The schemes of folly are sin,
    and people detest a mocker.

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

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Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(A)

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

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17 “The eye that mocks(A) a father,
    that scorns an aged mother,
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,
    will be eaten by the vultures.(B)

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17 The eye that mocks a father
    and scorns to obey a mother
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley
    and eaten by the vultures.(A)

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