Proverbs 9:8

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

Reprove {H3198} not a scorner {H3887}, lest he hate {H8130} thee: rebuke {H3198} a wise man {H2450}, and he will love {H157} thee.

If you reprove a scoffer, he will hate you; if you reprove a wise man, he will love you.

Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

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

Commentary

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 141:5 (16 votes)

    Let the righteous smite me; [it shall be] a kindness: and let him reprove me; [it shall be] an excellent oil, [which] shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also [shall be] in their calamities.

  • Proverbs 13:18 (15 votes)

    ¶ Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

  • Proverbs 23:9 (13 votes)

    ¶ Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

  • Proverbs 15:12 (12 votes)

    ¶ A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

  • Matthew 7:6 (10 votes)

    Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

  • Proverbs 29:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

  • Proverbs 28:23 (7 votes)

    ¶ He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.