Proverbs 14:9

“Fools mock at guilt, but among the upright there is favor.”

Proverbs 14:9 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

9

Proverbs 14:9, word by word

Foolsאֱוִלִיםevilim

fool

A fool: one who will not learn or accept correction. It does not speak of a lack of intelligence but of an attitude toward life and toward God.

Where else “evilim” appears
mockיָלִיץyalits

scoff

To laugh at what is serious with contempt; the scoffer rejects correction.

Where else “yalits” appears
at guiltאָשָׁםasham

guilt

What one owes for a wrong done.

Where else “asham” appears
the uprightיְשָׁרִיםyesharim

upright

Acting well before YHWH, without bending.

Where else “yesharim” appears
there is favorרָצוֹןratson

favor

The goodwill with which one looks on another.

Where else “ratson” appears

Translation note

The Hebrew of the first line can also be understood: “Guilt mocks fools.”

The context

8The wisdom of the shrewd is to understand his way, but the folly of the senseless is deceit.

9 · This verse (above)

10The heart knows the bitterness of its soul, and in its joy no stranger shares.

Read all of Proverbs 14

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