Proverbs Chapter 9 verse 8 Holy Bible

ASV Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
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BBE Proverbs 9:8

Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
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DARBY Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.
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KJV Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
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WBT Proverbs 9:8


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WEB Proverbs 9:8

Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
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YLT Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee (see the last note, and comp. Proverbs 15:12, and note there). There are times when reproof only hardens and exasperates. "It is not proper," says St. Gregory, "for the good man to fear lest the scorner should utter abuse at him when he is chidden, but lest, being drawn into hatred, he should be made worse" ('Moral.,' 8:67). "Bad men sometimes we spare, and not ourselves, if from the love of those we cease from the rebuking of them. Whence it is needful that we sometimes endure keeping to ourselves what they are, in order that they may learn in us by our good living what they are not" (ibid., 20:47, Oxford transl.). Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. So Psalm 141:5, "Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me, it shall be as oil upon the head; let not my head refuse it" (comp. Proverbs 19:25; Proverbs 25:12; Proverbs 27:6).

Ellicott's Commentary