Proverbs 12:1
New International Version
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

New Living Translation
To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

English Standard Version
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

King James Bible
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

New King James Version
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

New American Standard Bible
One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid.

NASB 1995
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

NASB 1977
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

Legacy Standard Bible
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is senseless.

Amplified Bible
Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.

Christian Standard Bible
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.

American Standard Version
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Contemporary English Version
To accept correction is wise, to reject it is stupid.

English Revised Version
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever loves discipline loves to learn, but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.

Good News Translation
Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.

International Standard Version
The person who loves correction loves knowledge, but anyone who hates a rebuke is stupid.

Majority Standard Bible
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

NET Bible
The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates reproof is stupid.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whoever loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

World English Bible
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, "" And whoever is hating reproof [is] brutish.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof is brutish.

Smith's Literal Translation
He loving instruction loved knowledge: and he hating reproof, is stupid.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is foolish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.

New American Bible
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates reproof is stupid.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
HE who loves discipline loves knowledge; but he who hates reproof is a fool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that loves discipline loves knowledge, and he that hates reproof is a fool.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction; But he that is brutish hateth reproof.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. 2The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.…

Cross References
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 9:8-9
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. / Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 15:31-32
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. / He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5-6
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Proverbs 15:5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

Proverbs 10:17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”


Treasury of Scripture

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish.

he that

Proverbs 5:12,13
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; …

Proverbs 9:7,8
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot…

Psalm 32:9
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

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Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














Whoever loves discipline
The Hebrew word for "discipline" is "מוּסָר" (musar), which encompasses instruction, correction, and moral training. In the ancient Near Eastern context, discipline was not merely punitive but was seen as a path to wisdom and understanding. To "love discipline" implies a heart posture that values growth and maturity, recognizing that true knowledge often comes through the refining process of correction. This love for discipline is a mark of humility and a desire to align oneself with God's wisdom.

loves knowledge
The term "knowledge" in Hebrew is "דַּעַת" (da'at), which refers to understanding, insight, and discernment. In the biblical sense, knowledge is not just intellectual but deeply relational, involving a personal acquaintance with God's ways. The love for knowledge signifies a pursuit of truth and a commitment to live according to divine principles. It reflects a heart that seeks to know God more intimately and to apply His truths in everyday life.

but he who hates correction
The word "correction" is translated from the Hebrew "תּוֹכַחַת" (tokhahat), meaning reproof or rebuke. In the biblical tradition, correction is a means of guiding individuals back to the right path. To "hate correction" is to reject the opportunity for growth and to resist the transformative work of God in one's life. This aversion to correction is often rooted in pride and a refusal to acknowledge one's own shortcomings.

is stupid
The Hebrew word for "stupid" is "בַּעַר" (ba'ar), which conveys a sense of brutishness or senselessness. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, being "stupid" is not merely a lack of intelligence but a moral failing—a refusal to embrace wisdom and instruction. This term underscores the folly of rejecting correction, as it leads to a life devoid of true understanding and purpose. The contrast between loving discipline and hating correction highlights the path of wisdom versus the path of folly, urging believers to choose the former for a life aligned with God's will.

XII.

(1) Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge.--Rather, he that loveth knowledge loveth discipline, i.e., to put himself in the place of a learner; while "he that hateth reproof," who will not take advice, is "brutish," "nourishing a blind life within the brain," like the animals who are incapable of improvement.

Verse 1. - Instruction; correction, discpline, which shows a man his faults, gives him a lowly opinion of himself, and opens his mind to receive knowledge, especially the knowledge of himself and of all moral obligations. Is brutish; is as insensible to higher aspirations, to regret for the past or hope of amendment, as a brute beast (comp. Proverbs 30:2). On this point St. Augustine is quoted: "Quicumque corripi non vis, ex eo sane corripiendus es quia corripi non vis. Non vis enim tua tibi vitia demonstrari; non vis ut feriantur, fiatque tibi utilis dolor, quo medicum quaeras; non vis tibi tu ipse ostendi, ut cum deformem te vides, reformaturum desideres, eique supplices ne in illa remaneas foeditate" ('De Corrept. et Grat.,' 5). Such conduct is unworthy of one who is possessed of an immortal soul and infinite capacity for progress and improvement.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Whoever loves
אֹהֵ֣ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

discipline
מ֭וּסָר‪‬ (mū·sār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4148: Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint

loves
אֹ֣הֵֽב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

knowledge,
דָּ֑עַת (dā·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847: Knowledge

but he who hates
וְשֹׂנֵ֖א (wə·śō·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8130: To hate

correction
תוֹכַ֣חַת (ṯō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8433: Chastisement, correction, refutation, proof

is stupid.
בָּֽעַר׃ (bā·‘ar)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish


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