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22 “How long, you simpletons,
    will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
    How long will you fools hate knowledge?

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22 “You naïve ones, how long will you love naiveté?
    And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing
        or fools hate knowledge?”

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22 “How long will you who are simple(A) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate(B) knowledge?

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34 The Lord mocks the mockers
    but is gracious to the humble.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:34 Greek version reads The Lord opposes the proud / but gives grace to the humble. Compare Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5.

34 Though God[a] scoffs at scoffers,
    he gives grace to the humble.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:34 Lit. he

34 He mocks(A) proud mockers(B)
    but shows favor to the humble(C) and oppressed.

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Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
    Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
So don’t bother correcting mockers;
    they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
    and they will love you.

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Wisdom Extends Life

Whoever corrects a mocker invites only insult,[a]
    and whoever rebukes the wicked will himself become stained.
Don’t rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.
    Rebuke a wise person, and he will love you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:7 Lit. insult to himself

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(A)
Do not rebuke mockers(B) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(C)

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A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
    but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

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A mocker seeks wisdom and finds[a] none,
    but learning comes easily to someone who understands.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:6 The Heb. lacks finds

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(A)

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12 Mockers hate to be corrected,
    so they stay away from the wise.

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12 The arrogant mocker never loves the one who corrects him;
    he will not inquire of[a] the wise.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:12 Lit. not go to

12 Mockers resent correction,(A)
    so they avoid the wise.

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25 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson;
    if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

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25 If you scourge a scoffer,
    the simple person may learn to be discreet;
rebuke a discerning man
    and he will gain understanding.

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25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning,(A) and they will gain knowledge.(B)

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29 Punishment is made for mockers,
    and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.

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29 Condemnation is appropriate for mockers,
    just as beatings are for the backs of fools.

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29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(A)

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

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

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11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(A)

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24 Mockers are proud and haughty;
    they act with boundless arrogance.

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24 The names “Proud,” “Arrogant,” and “Mocker”
    fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.

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24 The proud and arrogant person(A)—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.

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