Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 9:12
12If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”
Proverbs 9:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
- New International Version (NIV)If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
Context of Proverbs 9:12
10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For by me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.” 13Folly is a rowdy woman; she is gullible and knows nothing. 14She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
Read all of Proverbs 9Proverbs 9:12 word by word
אִם־חָ֭כַמְתָּ חָכַ֣מְתָּ לָּ֑ךְ וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּ לְֽבַדְּךָ֥ תִשָּֽׂא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 9:12
- Proverbs 16:26A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.
- Job 22:2Can a man be of any use to God? Can even a wise man be of use to him?
- Job 35:6If you sin, how does it affect God? If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to him?
- Isaiah 28:22So now, do not scoff, or your shackles will become stronger. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord God of Armies a decree of destruction for the whole land.
- Ezekiel 18:20The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won’t suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity, and a father won’t suffer punishment for the son’s iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him.
- 2 Peter 3:3Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires,
Commentaries on Proverbs 9:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12If thou be wise - It is thy own interest to be religious. Though thy example may be very useful to thy neighbors and friends, yet the chief benefit is to thyself. But if thou scorn - refuse to receive - the doctrines of wisdom, and die in thy sins, thou alone shalt suffer the vengeance of an offended God.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12The great law of personal retribution (compare Matthew 7:2). The Septuagint makes a curious addition to this verse, “My son, if thou wilt be wise for thyself, thou shalt be wise also for thy neighbors; but if thou turn out evil, thou alone shalt bear evil. He who resteth on lies shall guide the winds, and the same shall hunt after winged birds, for he hath left the ways of his own vineyard, and has gone astray with the wheels of his own husbandry. He…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-12fear of the LORD: Refer to study note on Proverbs 1:7.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. You are mainly concerned in your own conduct.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 9:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries