Proverbs 9:12
New International Version
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

New Living Translation
If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

English Standard Version
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Berean Standard Bible
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

King James Bible
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

New King James Version
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

New American Standard Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will suffer from it.

NASB 1995
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

NASB 1977
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Legacy Standard Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Amplified Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit]; If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty.

Christian Standard Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

American Standard Version
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.

Contemporary English Version
Good sense is good for you, but if you brag, you hurt yourself.

English Revised Version
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you are wise, your wisdom will help you. If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.

Good News Translation
You are the one who will profit if you have wisdom, and if you reject it, you are the one who will suffer.

International Standard Version
If you are wise, your wisdom will assist you. If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.

Majority Standard Bible
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

NET Bible
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it.

New Heart English Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

Webster's Bible Translation
If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

World English Bible
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If you have been wise, you have been wise for yourself, "" And you have scorned—you bear [it] alone.

Young's Literal Translation
If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned -- thyself bearest it.

Smith's Literal Translation
If thou wert wise, thou wert wise for thyself: and thou mockedst, thou alone shalt suffer.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.

New American Bible
If you are wise, wisdom is to your advantage; if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.

New Revised Standard Version
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My son, if you are wise, you are wise for yourself and for your friends; but if you are evil-minded, you alone shall bear your evils;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My son, if you are wise, you are wise for yourself and for your friends, and if you will be evil, you alone will draw out your evils. The one who denies falsely, feeds on the winds and pursues a bird of the sky, for he has forsaken his service to travel in the desert without water, and from beside the path of his vineyard, and he forgets the trodden paths; he travels in thirst, and he will gather nothing!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Way of Wisdom
11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

Cross References
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Job 22:2-3
“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him? / Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?

Ezekiel 18:20
The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.

Romans 14:7-8
For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. / If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:8
He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Psalm 19:11
By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Colossians 3:23-25
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. / Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Matthew 25:1-13
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

1 Peter 3:13-14
Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good? / But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.


Treasury of Scripture

If you be wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.

Proverbs 16:26
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

Job 22:2,3,21
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? …

Job 35:6,7
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? …

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Alone Bear Bearest Full Heart Mock Mocker Pain Pride Reward Scoff Scorned Scornest Suffer Thyself Wisdom Wise
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Alone Bear Bearest Full Heart Mock Mocker Pain Pride Reward Scoff Scorned Scornest Suffer Thyself Wisdom Wise
Proverbs 9
1. The discipline
4. and the doctrine of wisdom
13. The custom
16. and error of folly














If you are wise,
Wisdom in the biblical context is more than just knowledge; it is the application of God's truth in daily life. The book of Proverbs often contrasts wisdom with folly, emphasizing that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Wisdom is personified in Proverbs 8, where it is depicted as calling out to humanity, offering guidance and understanding. This phrase suggests that wisdom is a personal choice and responsibility.

you are wise to your own advantage;
The benefits of wisdom are personal and direct. In ancient Israel, wisdom was seen as a path to a prosperous and fulfilling life. The Hebrew culture valued wisdom as a means to live in harmony with God's creation and His laws. This phrase implies that the pursuit of wisdom leads to personal growth, protection, and blessings, as seen in Proverbs 3:13-18, where wisdom is described as more precious than jewels and a source of long life and peace.

but if you scoff,
Scoffing is a form of mockery or derision, often directed at wisdom or divine instruction. In the biblical narrative, scoffers are those who reject God's truth and guidance, choosing instead to follow their own understanding. This attitude is condemned throughout Scripture, as seen in Psalm 1:1, which warns against walking in the counsel of the wicked or sitting in the seat of scoffers. The cultural context of the time viewed scoffing as a serious offense against community values and divine order.

you alone will bear the consequences.
The consequences of rejecting wisdom are personal and inevitable. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, as outlined in Galatians 6:7-8, where individuals are warned that they will reap what they sow. In the historical context of Proverbs, this would have been understood as a natural outcome of one's choices, affecting not only the individual but potentially their family and community. The phrase underscores the personal responsibility each person has in choosing wisdom over folly, with eternal implications as seen in the broader biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings often contrast wisdom and folly.

2. The Wise Person
Represents those who seek and apply God's wisdom in their lives, leading to personal benefit and growth.

3. The Scoffer
Symbolizes those who reject wisdom and mock instruction, ultimately facing negative consequences.

4. Wisdom
Personified throughout Proverbs as a guiding principle that leads to life and prosperity.

5. Consequences
The outcomes or results of one's actions, particularly in the context of choosing wisdom or folly.
Teaching Points
The Personal Benefit of Wisdom
Embrace wisdom as it leads to personal growth and advantage. Seeking God's wisdom is not just for spiritual growth but also for practical, everyday living.

The Isolation of the Scoffer
Understand that scoffing and rejecting wisdom leads to isolation and personal detriment. The consequences of folly are borne alone, without the support of a community.

The Principle of Personal Responsibility
Recognize that each individual is responsible for their choices. Wisdom leads to positive outcomes, while folly results in negative consequences.

The Invitation to Choose Wisely
Every day presents opportunities to choose wisdom over folly. Make conscious decisions that align with God's principles.

The Role of Community in Wisdom
Engage with a community of believers who value wisdom. Fellowship with others who seek God's wisdom can provide support and encouragement.(12) Thou shalt be wise for thyself--i.e., to thine own benefit. (Comp. 1Corinthians 3:8.)

Thou alone shalt bear it--i.e., its penalty. (Comp. Galatians 6:5.)

Verse 12. - If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself. A transition verse. Wisdom will bring thee good; as thou hast laboured well, so will be thy reward (1 Corinthians 3:8). The LXX. (Syriac and Arabic), with the idea of perfecting the antithesis, adds, καὶ τοῖς πλησίον, "My son, if thou art wise for thyself, thou shalt be wise also for thy neighbours" - which contains the great truth that good gifts should not be selfishly enjoyed, but used and dispensed for the advantage of others (Galatians 6:6). In support of our text we may quote Job 22:2, "Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself." But if thou scornest, thou alone shalt hear it; i.e. atone for it, bear the sin, as it is expressed in Numbers 9:13, "Forevery man shall bear his own burden" (Galatians 6:5). Thus Wisdom ends her exhortation. Septuagint, "If thou turn out evil, thou alone shalt bear (ἀντλήσεις) evils." And then is added the following paragraph, which may possibly be derived from a Hebrew original, but seems more like a congeries made up from other passages, and foisted by some means into the Greek text: "He that stayeth himself on lies shepherdeth winds, and himself pursueth flying birds; for he hath left the ways of his own vineyard, and hath gone astray with the wheels of his own husbandry; and he goeth through a waterless desert, and over a land set in thirsty places, and with his hands he gathereth unfruitfulness."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you are wise,
חָ֭כַמְתָּ (ḥā·ḵam·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2449: To be wise

you are wise
חָכַ֣מְתָּ (ḥā·ḵam·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2449: To be wise

to your own advantage;
לָּ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

but if you scoff,
וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּ (wə·laṣ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3887: Ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker

you alone
לְֽבַדְּךָ֥ (lə·ḇad·də·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

will bear [the consequences].
תִשָּֽׂא׃ (ṯiś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 9:12 If you are wise you are wise (Prov. Pro Pr)
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