Proverbs 21:11

When a scorner is punished, the naive ¹  becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, ²  he gains knowledge.

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.

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

A simpleton can learn only by seeing mockers punished; a wise person learns from instruction.

Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening.

When the man of pride undergoes punishment, the simple man gets wisdom; and by watching the wise he gets knowledge.

When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.

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

When a scorner is punished, the naive ¹  becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, ²  he gains knowledge.

¹ sn The contrast here is between the simple and the wise. The simple gain wisdom when they see the scorner punished; the wise gains knowledge through instruction. The scorner does not change, but should be punished for the benefit of the simple (e.g., Prov 19:25).

² tn Heb “in the instructing of the wise.” The construction uses the Hiphil infinitive construct הַשְׂכִּיל (haskil) with a preposition to form a temporal clause (= “when”). The word “wise” (חָכָם, khakham) after it is the subjective genitive. The preposition לְ (lamed) on the form is probably dittography from the ending of the infinitive.