Bible Strands
Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The passage functions as a proverbial maxim addressed to a general audience, positioned between an observation on prudent discernment and a statement on the private nature of human emotion.
The words — יָלִ֣יץ (ya.Litz) = "he mocks" and אָשָׁ֑ם ('a.Sham) = "guilt" or "making amends" form the core contrast, showing how folly rejects reconciliation while favor rests with the upright.
The thread — The divergence between foolish conduct and upright character recurs in Proverbs 10:23, which notes the fool delights in shameful conduct while the understanding man holds wisdom. The alignment of God's favor with righteousness, peace, and joy echoes the description of the kingdom in Romans 14:17.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that refusing reconciliation is a mark of folly, while genuine goodwill is the measurable trait of those who walk with integrity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 10:23 The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
- Proverbs 26:18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
- Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Proverbs 8:35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
- Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
- Proverbs 30:20 This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
- Jude 1:18 when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”
- Job 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
- Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 3:4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.