Proverbs 9:12

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

10The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding. 11For because of me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it. 13The woman called Folly is brash, she is naive and does not know anything. 14So she sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

Proverbs 9:12 word by word

אִם־חָ֭כַמְתָּ חָכַ֣מְתָּ לָּ֑ךְ וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּ לְֽבַדְּךָ֥ תִשָּֽׂא׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If thou be wiseחָכַםchâkam · be wiseH2449
• thou scornestלִיץlûts · to mockH3887
• thou alone shalt bearנָשָׂאnâώâ' nâsâh · to lift: bearH5375

Cross-references for Proverbs 9:12

• Proverbs 16:26A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.
• Job 22:2“Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable?
• Job 35:6If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him?
• Isaiah 28:22So now, do not mock, or your chains will become heavier! For I have heard a message about decreed destruction, from the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, against the entire land.
• Ezekiel 18:20The person who sins is the one who will die. A son will not suffer for his father’s iniquity, and a father will not suffer for his son’s iniquity; the righteous person will be judged according to his righteousness, and the wicked person according to his wickedness.
• 2 Peter 3:3Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges

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

• Infidelity
• Scoffing
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Blot
• Forsake
• Mouth
• Secret
• Stolen
• Tender
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Scorn

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