When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Parallel translations
- WEB When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
- BSB When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
- NKJV When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
- NASB When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
- NLT If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Punishing a mocker teaches the simple, and instructing the wise increases their knowledge. It matters because both correction and teaching advance wisdom.
Overview
The naive learn caution by seeing the scoffer judged, while the wise grow simply by being taught (Proverbs 19:25; 9:9). The verse shows two ways wisdom spreads — through warning examples and direct instruction. The wise welcome correction, while the foolish must learn the hard way.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Prov 19:25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
- Prov 18:15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- Prov 9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
- Acts 5:5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
- Deut 21:21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
- Prov 18:1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- Num 16:34And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
- 1 Cor 10:6–11Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
- Deut 13:11And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
- Ps 64:7–9But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
- Heb 2:1–3Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
- Prov 1:5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
- Acts 5:11–14And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
- Heb 10:28–29He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
- Rev 11:13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
- Prov 15:14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 21:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.