Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

PROVERBS 14:9KJV
Know the Bible

Proverbs 14:9 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 14:9 mean?

Proverbs 14:9 says that foolish people treat sin lightly and make fun of it, while those who do what is right find acceptance and goodwill among others. The verse draws a sharp contrast between the attitude of fools and the blessings found among the righteous.

This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, aimed at teaching practical wisdom for daily life. The verse highlights how a person’s attitude toward wrongdoing reveals their character: fools (those who reject wisdom) laugh off sin, while the righteous (those who live uprightly) enjoy favor, likely from both God and people.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 14:9

  • Fools (אֱוִילִים, 'ewilim): This word refers to people who are not just lacking information, but who stubbornly reject wisdom and correction. Their attitude toward sin is not ignorance, but willful disregard.
  • Mock (לִיץ, lits): This verb means to scoff or ridicule. Here, it points to an attitude of making light of serious matters, especially moral failings.
  • Sin (אָשָׁם, 'asham): This word often refers to guilt or a guilt-offering, not just the act of sin but the state of being guilty before God or others. The fools are mocking not just the act, but the very idea of guilt.
  • Righteous (יָשָׁר, yashar): This word means upright or straight, describing people who live with integrity and honesty.
  • Favour (רָצוֹן, ratson): This word means goodwill, acceptance, or favor. It suggests that the righteous enjoy positive relationships and approval, likely both from God and from people.

Why Proverbs 14:9 matters

  • Proverbs 14:9 clears up the idea that sin is just a private matter; the verse shows that how a person treats sin affects their relationships and standing in the community.
  • The proverb emphasizes that wisdom is not just about knowledge, but about a respectful and serious attitude toward right and wrong.
  • This verse fits into the larger theme of Proverbs, which often contrasts the outcomes of foolishness and wisdom, showing that attitudes toward sin have real consequences for a person’s life and reputation.

Where else these words appear

“Fools” Hebrew H191 · used in 26 verses

  • Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
  • Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
  • Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

“mock” Hebrew H3887 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 42:23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
  • Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
  • Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

“sin” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
  • Numbers 6:12 And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.

“favour” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
  • Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.