Judgments ¹  are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools.

A foolish scheme ¹  is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to people. ² 

A wise son accepts ¹  his father’s discipline, ²  but a scoffer ³  does not listen to rebuke.

A proud ¹  and arrogant ²  person, whose name is “Scoffer,” ³  acts ⁴  with overbearing pride. ⁵ 

Therefore, listen to the Lord’s word, you who mock, you rulers of these people who reside in Jerusalem! ¹ 

For they said to you, “In the end time there will come ¹  scoffers, propelled by their own ungodly desires.” ² 

Above all, understand this: ¹  In the last days blatant scoffers ²  will come, being propelled by their own evil urges ³ 

The scorner ¹  seeks wisdom but finds none, ²  but understanding is easy ³  for a discerning person.

Flog ¹  a scorner, and as a result the simpleton ²  will learn prudence; ³  correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. ⁴ 

When a scorner is punished, the naive ¹  becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, ²  he gains knowledge.

Drive out the scorner ¹  and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease. ² 

Whoever corrects ¹  a mocker is asking for ²  insult; ³  whoever reproves a wicked person receives ⁴  abuse.

The scorner does not love ¹  one who corrects him; ²  he will not go to ³  the wise.

Scornful people ¹  inflame ²  a city, ³  but those who are wise turn away wrath.

For tyrants will disappear, those who taunt will vanish, and all those who love to do wrong will be eliminated ¹  –

How blessed ²  is the one ³  who does not follow ⁴  the advice ⁵  of the wicked, ⁶  or stand in the pathway ⁷  with sinners, or sit in the assembly ⁸  of scoffers! ⁹ 

Do not reprove ¹  a mocker or ²  he will hate you; reprove a wise person and he will love you.

Although ¹  he is scornful to arrogant scoffers, ²  yet ³  he shows favor to the humble. ⁴ 

‘Look, you scoffers; be amazed and perish! ¹  For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you.’” ² 

“How long will you simpletons ¹  love naiveté? ²  How long ³  will mockers ⁴  delight ⁵  in mockery ⁶  and fools ⁷  hate knowledge?