Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Other translations
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Word study
Commentary
Matthew Henry
Note, 1. Scorners are fools. Those that ridicule things sacred and serious do but make themselves ridiculous. Their folly shall be manifest unto all men. 2. Those that scorn judgments cannot escape them, Pro 19:28. The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect; those that devour iniquity swallow the hook with the bait. The civil magistrate has judgments prepared for scorners, for otherwise he would bear the sword in vain; but if he be remiss, and connive at sin, yet God's judgments slumber not; they are prepared, Mat 25:41.
John Gill
Judgments are prepared for scorners,.... Either by the civil magistrate, or by the Lord, and indeed by both; and if they miss the one, they will certainly meet the other; though they mock at present punishment and a future judgment, yet everlasting fire is prepared for them, Mat 25:41;
and stripes for the back of fools; as scorners are; which shall be inflicted on them sooner or later; if they are not stricken with the stripes of men, they shall endure the strokes of divine justice and vengeance hereafter.
Next: Proverbs Chapter 20
JFB
Their punishment is sure, fixed, and ready (compare Pro 3:34; Pro 10:13).
Next: Proverbs Chapter 20
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