Flog ¹  a scorner, and as a result the simpleton ²  will learn prudence; ³  correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. ⁴ 

biblegateway Pro 19:25

Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.

Strike a mocker, and a gullible person may learn a lesson. Warn an understanding person, and he will gain more knowledge.

biblegateway Pro 19:25

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

bibleoremus Pro 19:25

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.

Strike an arrogant person, and the simpleton learns prudence; reprove someone who has understanding, and he understands what you mean.

biblegateway Pro 19:25

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.

biblegateway Pro 19:25

Flog ¹  a scorner, and as a result the simpleton ²  will learn prudence; ³  correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. ⁴ 

¹ tn The Hiphil imperfect תַּכֶּה (takeh) is followed by another imperfect. It could be rendered: “strike a scorner [imperfect of instruction] and a simpleton will become prudent.” But the first of the parallel verbs can also be subordinated to the second as a temporal or conditional clause. Some English versions translate “beat” (NAB “if you beat an arrogant man”), but this could be understood to refer to competition rather than physical punishment. Therefore “flog” has been used in the translation, since it is normally associated with punishment or discipline.

² sn Different people learn differently. There are three types of people in this proverb: the scorner with a closed mind, the simpleton with an empty mind, and the discerning person with an open mind (D. Kidner, Proverbs [TOTC], 135). The simpleton learns by observing a scoffer being punished, even though the punishment will have no effect on the scoffer.

³ sn The word is related to “shrewdness” (cf. 1:4). The simpleton will learn at least where the traps are and how to avoid them.

⁴ tn The second half begins with הוֹכִיחַ (hokhiakh), the Hiphil infinitive construct. This parallels the imperfect tense beginning the first half; it forms a temporal or conditional clause as well, so that the main verb is “he will understand.”

⁴ sn The discerning person will learn from verbal rebukes. The contrast is caught in a wordplay in the Midrash: “For the wise a hint [r’mizo], for the fool a fist [kurmezo]” (Mishle 22:6).