Whoever corrects ¹  a mocker is asking for ²  insult; ³  whoever reproves a wicked person receives ⁴  abuse.

biblegateway Pro 9:7

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

The one who corrects a mocker will bring dishonor on himself; the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.

Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse. Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt.

biblegateway Pro 9:7

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

bibleoremus Pro 9:7

Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse; whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.

Correct an insolent person, and you earn abuse; reprove a bad one, and you will acquire his faults.

biblegateway Pro 9:7

"He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.

biblegateway Pro 9:7

Whoever corrects ¹  a mocker is asking for ²  insult; ³  whoever reproves a wicked person receives ⁴  abuse.

¹ tn The active participle יֹסֵר (yoser) describes one who tries to correct by means of instruction and discipline; it is paralleled by the Hiphil participle which refers to someone who rebukes or reproves another. Anyone trying this on these types of people would be inviting trouble.

² tn Heb “receives for himself.”

³ tn The word means “dishonor” or “disgrace.” It is paralleled with מוּמוֹ (mumo), translated “abuse.” The latter term means “blemish,” although some would emend the text to read “reproach.” The MT is figurative but not impossible to interpret: Whoever tries to rebuke a wicked person will receive only insults and perhaps physical attack.

⁴ tn The verb “receives” is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.