KJV ORIGINAL
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't correct someone who mocks and scorns others, or they will hate you for it. But rebuke a wise person, and they will love you for helping them grow.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is teaching that mockers will hate you for correcting them, but wise people will appreciate your honest feedback.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from ancient Israel's wisdom tradition, likely written during Solomon's reign when there was great emphasis on practical wisdom for daily living. In ancient Near Eastern culture, accepting correction was seen as a mark of wisdom and maturity, while rejecting it showed foolishness and pride.
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