Proverbs 9:7

SOME SPECIAL PROVERBS BETWEEN THE TWO INVITATIONS FROM WISDOM AND FROM FOLLY

"He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling;

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

Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee:

Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:

Teach a wise man, and he will increase in learning.

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom;

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For by me thy days shall be multiplied,

And the years of thy life shall be increased.

If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself,'

And if thou scoffest, thou alone shall bear it."

Some of the scholars object to the inclusion of Proverbs 9:7-12 at this point in the chapter; but there is no agreement on where they should be placed if removed from where we find them. "It may be that these verses are intended to emphasize in an indirect manner the role of Wisdom as a teacher."[15]

Hendry pointed out that, "In Proverbs 9:7 and Proverbs 9:8, the contrast is not between those invited and those not invited to the house of Wisdom, but between the reactions of the scoffer and the teachable man to that discipline imparted by wisdom."[16] Christ utilized this same teaching in his warnings against giving that which is holy to dogs and casting one's pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6).

Another interesting comment on these intermediate verses between Wisdom and Folly is, "There is a degree of pessimism in these verses, and it may be that their location here is to tone down the optimism of Proverbs 9:1-6."[17]

It is a solemn fact that there are incorrigibly wicked men, scoffers and haters of all that is righteous; and the message here is that Wisdom must not waste her efforts upon such evil men.

"If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself,, if thou scoffest ... thou shalt bear it" (Proverbs 9:12). "Only here in Proverbs is the doctrine of individual responsibility promulgated."[18]