²⁹ Penalties are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

³ A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools!

¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, But a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

³ knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,

⁴ and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

⁵ For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God;

⁶ by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.

⁷ But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

⁶ For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, And scourges every son whom he receives."

⁴⁰ Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:

⁴¹ 'Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.'"

²⁰ For the terrible one is brought to nothing, and the scoffer ceases, and all those who watch for iniquity are cut off;

²² Now therefore don't you be scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, on the whole earth.

⁶ A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.

¹⁰ A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred lashes into a fool.

²² He followed her immediately, As an ox goes to the slaughter, As a fool stepping into a noose.

³⁴ Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble.