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11 When scoffers are punished the naive become wise;
    when the wise succeed, they gain knowledge.(A)
12 The Righteous One appraises the house of the wicked,
    bringing down the wicked to ruin.[a]
13 Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor
    will themselves call out and not be answered.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:12 It is difficult to ascertain the subject of the saying. Some hold it is the Lord, the “Righteous One,” who is normally the executor of justice in Proverbs. Others believe it is the just person who is the agent of divine justice. “Righteous One” is a title for God in Is 24:16. The best argument for making God the subject of the verb is that elsewhere in Proverbs righteous human beings never do anything to the wicked; only God does.

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

12 The Righteous One[a] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.(B)

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(C) and not be answered.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person