Proverbs 21:11
New International Version
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

New Living Translation
If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

English Standard Version
When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

Berean Standard Bible
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

King James Bible
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

New King James Version
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

New American Standard Bible
When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

NASB 1995
When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

NASB 1977
When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Legacy Standard Bible
When the scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; And when one considers wisdom, he receives knowledge.

Amplified Bible
When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise; But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Christian Standard Bible
When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

American Standard Version
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

Contemporary English Version
An ignorant fool learns by seeing others punished; a sensible person learns by being instructed.

English Revised Version
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When a mocker is punished, a gullible person becomes wise, and when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

Good News Translation
When someone who is conceited gets his punishment, even an unthinking person learns a lesson. One who is wise will learn from what he is taught.

International Standard Version
When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Majority Standard Bible
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

NET Bible
When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

New Heart English Bible
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Webster's Bible Translation
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

World English Bible
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When the scorner is punished, the simple becomes wise, "" And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.

Young's Literal Translation
When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.

Smith's Literal Translation
In punishing him mocking, the simple shall become wise: and in instruction to the wise one he will take knowledge.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge.

New American Bible
When scoffers are punished the naive become wise; when the wise succeed, they gain knowledge.

New Revised Standard Version
When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When a wicked man suffers harm, even the simple become wise; but a wise man receives knowledge through his own counsel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
By the injury of the evil the child is made wise, and by his reflection the wise receives knowledge.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.…

Cross References
Proverbs 19:25
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

Proverbs 9:7-9
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. / Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. / Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 19:29
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 22:3
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 15:5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

Proverbs 17:10
A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 15:31-32
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. / He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Matthew 11:15
He who has ears, let him hear.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

the scorner

Proverbs 19:25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

Numbers 16:34
And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

Deuteronomy 13:11
And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

when the wise

Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Jump to Previous
Gain Gains Gets Instructed Mocker Naive Pride Punished Punishment Receives Receiveth Scoffer Scorner Simple Thoughtless Undergoes Understanding Watching Wisdom Wise
Jump to Next
Gain Gains Gets Instructed Mocker Naive Pride Punished Punishment Receives Receiveth Scoffer Scorner Simple Thoughtless Undergoes Understanding Watching Wisdom Wise
Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














When a mocker is punished
The term "mocker" in Hebrew is "לֵץ" (lets), which refers to someone who is scornful or derisive, often rejecting wisdom and instruction. In the ancient Near Eastern context, mockers were seen as those who disrupted societal harmony and rejected the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The act of punishing a mocker serves as a public demonstration of the consequences of foolishness and rebellion against divine order. This punishment is not merely punitive but serves a corrective purpose, aiming to restore the community's moral fabric and uphold God's justice.

the simple gain wisdom
The "simple" in Hebrew is "פֶּתִי" (pethi), referring to those who are naive or inexperienced, lacking discernment. In the biblical context, the simple are not inherently foolish but are open to influence, either towards wisdom or folly. The punishment of the mocker acts as a didactic tool, providing the simple with a tangible lesson in the importance of wisdom and the dangers of folly. This reflects the biblical principle that wisdom is often gained through observing the consequences of others' actions, encouraging the simple to choose the path of righteousness.

and when a wise man is instructed
The "wise man" in Hebrew is "חָכָם" (chakam), denoting someone who possesses not only knowledge but also the ability to apply it in practical, godly ways. Instruction for the wise is not a sign of deficiency but an opportunity for growth. In the biblical tradition, wisdom is a dynamic quality, continually refined and expanded through learning and experience. The wise man values instruction as it aligns with the pursuit of understanding God's will and living a life that reflects His character.

he acquires knowledge
The acquisition of "knowledge" in Hebrew is "דַּעַת" (da'ath), which encompasses understanding, insight, and discernment. For the wise, knowledge is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual, rooted in the fear of the Lord and the desire to live according to His statutes. This phrase underscores the biblical view that true wisdom and knowledge are gifts from God, cultivated through humility, reverence, and a teachable spirit. The wise man's continual learning reflects a heart aligned with God's purposes, ever seeking to grow in truth and righteousness.

(11) When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise.--See above on Proverbs 19:25.

Verse 11. - When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise. We had the same thought at Proverbs 19:25 (where see note). The simple (parvulus, Vulgate) profit by the punishment of the incorrigibly evil But the wise need not chastisement for their improvement. When the wise is instructed (Psalm 32:6), he (the wise) receiveth knowledge. The wise man uses every opportunity, takes advantage of every circumstance and event, to increase his knowledge and experience. The Vulgate carries on the subject, "And if he (the simple) follow the wise man, he shall attain knowledge." Septuagint, "When the intemperate man is punished, the simple is made cleverer; and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge." "For it often happens," says St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 18:38). "that the mind of the weak is the more unsteadied from the hearing of the truth, as it sees the despisers of the truth flourishing; but when just vengeance takes away the unjust, it keeps others away from wickedness."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When a mocker
לֵ֭ץ‪‬ (lêṣ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3887: Ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker

is punished,
בַּעְנָשׁ־ (ba‘·nāš-)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6064: To urge, to inflict a, penalty, to fine

the simple
פֶּ֑תִי (pe·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6612: Simple, perhaps open-minded

gain wisdom;
יֶחְכַּם־ (yeḥ·kam-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2449: To be wise

and when a wise man
לְ֝חָכָ֗ם (lə·ḥā·ḵām)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

is instructed,
וּבְהַשְׂכִּ֥יל (ū·ḇə·haś·kîl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

he acquires
יִקַּח־ (yiq·qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

knowledge.
דָּֽעַת׃ (dā·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847: Knowledge


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:11 When the mocker is punished the simple (Prov. Pro Pr)
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