Proverbs 9:6–8

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;

walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

rebuke the wise and they will love you.

6 Forsake the foolish, and live;

And go in the way of understanding.

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame:

And he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;

learn to use good judgment.”

7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.

Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;

they will only hate you.

But correct the wise,

and they will love you.

6 Forsake foolishness and live,

And go in the way of understanding.

7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,

And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

6 Stop your foolish ways, and you will live;

take the road of understanding.

7 “If you correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, you will be insulted.

If you correct an evil person, you will get hurt.

8 Do not correct those who make fun of wisdom, or they will hate you.

But correct the wise, and they will love you.

6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;

And walk in the way of understanding.

7 He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling;

And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee:

Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

6 Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence. 7 He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked man getteth to himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

6 Stop being gullible and live. 

Start traveling the road to understanding.” 

7 Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse. 

Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt. 

8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. 

Warn a wise person, and he will love you. 

6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;

pursue the way of understanding.

7 The one who corrects a mocker

will bring dishonor on himself;

the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.

8 Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;

rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

6 Lay aside immaturity and live,

and walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;

whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.

8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;

rebuke the wise, and he will love you.

6 Lay aside simplicity and live;

walk in the way of understanding.”

7 He who corrects a scoffer gains abuse for himself,

and he who rebukes the wicked gets hurt.

8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;

rebuke the wise and he will love you.

6 Leave your childish ways and you will live.

Walk in the way that leads to understanding.

7 “When you correct someone who makes fun of others, you might be laughed at.

When you warn a sinner, you might get hurt.

8 Don’t warn those who make fun of others. They will hate you.

Warn those who are wise. They will love you.

6 “Forsake your folly and live,

And proceed in the way of understanding.”

7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,

And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,

Reprove a wise man and he will love you.