John Trapp on Proverbs 29:8

Verſ. 8. Scornful men bring a City into a ſnare] The Vulgar renders it, Peſtilent perſons undoe a City or a State, as Nahaſh did the Ammonites, 1 Sam. 11.2, 11. and as his ſon Hanan did much more, 2 Sam. 10.4. with 12.31. Mocking is catching, as the Peſtilence: and no leſs pernicious to the whole Country. Giraldus Cambrenſis tells of three Iriſh Kings, that being derided for their rude habits and faſhions, rebelled, and ſet the Country in a combuſtion. And the young King of France jeſting at William the Conquerours great belly, whereof he ſaid he lay in at Rouen, ſo irritated him, as he being recovered of a ſickneſs, entred France in the chiefeſt time of their fruits, making ſpoyl of all in his way, till he came even to Paris, where this ſcornful King then was, to ſhew him of his viſiting:Dan. Chron. 42 and from thence marcht to the City of Mants, which hee utterly ſackt and ranſackt, razed and haraſed.

But wiſe men turn away wrath] They ſtand in the gap, and divert the Divine diſpleaſure, Pſal. 106.23. Ezek. 13.5. Their perſons are in acceptation; God will look upon them, and doe much for them, when hee is moſt of all angry with the wicked, Exod. 32.10, 14. Job 22. ult. Gen. 18.32. Their prayers alſo are prevalent: ſomething the Lord will yeeld thereunto, when moſt bitterly bent againſt a people, Matth. 24.20. and when unchangeably reſolved upon their ruine, he takes courſe to ſilence ſuch, pray not for this people. Sanctum ſemen ſtatumen terrae, Iſa. 6.13. The innocent ſhall deliver the Iſland, Job 22.30.