Proverbs Chapter 9 verse 7 Holy Bible
He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man `getteth' himself a blot.
read chapter 9 in ASV
He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
read chapter 9 in BBE
He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked [man] [getteth] to himself a blot.
read chapter 9 in DARBY
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
read chapter 9 in KJV
read chapter 9 in WBT
He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
read chapter 9 in WEB
The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it -- shame, And a reprover of the wicked -- his blemish.
read chapter 9 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 7-10. - These verses form a parenthesis, showing why Wisdom addresses only the simple and foolish. She giveth not that which is holy unto dogs, nor casteth pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Verse 7. - He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame. He who tries to correct a scorner (see on Proverbs 1:22 and Proverbs 3:34), one who derides religion, loses his pains and meets with ribald mockery and insult. It is not the fault of messengers or message that this should be, but the hardness of heart and the pride of the hearer make him despise the teaching and hate the teacher (Matthew 24:9). He that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot; rather, he that reproveth a sinner, it is his blot. Such a proceeding results in disgrace to himself. This is not said to discourage the virtuous from reproving transgressors, but states the effect which experience proves to occur in such cases. Prudence, caution, and tact are needed in dealing with these characters. Evil men regard the reprover as a personal enemy, and treat him with contumely, and hence arise unseemly bickerings and disputes, injurious words and deeds. To have wasted teaching on such unreceptive and antagonistic natures is a shameful expenditure of power. St. Gregory thus explains this matter: "It generally happens that when they cannot defend the evils that are reproved in them, they are rendered worse from a feeling of shame, and carry themselves so high in their defence of themselves, that they take out bad points to urge against the life of the reprover, and so they do not account themselves guilty, if they fasten guilty deeds upon the heads of others also. And when they are unable to find true ones, they feign them, that they may also themselves have things they may seem to rebuke with no inferior degree of justice" ('Moral.,' 10:3, Oxford transl.).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) He that reproveth a scorner . . .--Wisdom does not address the scoffer, nor the godless: this would be "giving that which is holy unto the dogs, and casting pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). (Comp. our Lord's own plan of teaching by parables, that His hearers might not understand (Luke 8:10).Getteth to himself shame.--Or, insult.
