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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 1:22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_01_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 1:22 - Wisdom Calls Aloud" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/1-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/1-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/1-21.htm" title="Proverbs 1:21">◄</a> Proverbs 1:22 <a href="/proverbs/1-23.htm" title="Proverbs 1:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/proverbs/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/proverbs/1.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/nlt/proverbs/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> “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? <a href="/esv/proverbs/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/bsb/proverbs/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/kjv/proverbs/1.htm">King James Bible</a> How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/nkjv/proverbs/1.htm">New King James Version</a> “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. <a href="/nasb_/proverbs/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “How long, you naive ones, will you love simplistic thinking? And how long will scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? <a href="/nasb/proverbs/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? <a href="/nasb77/proverbs/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? <a href="/lsb/proverbs/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “How long, O simple ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? <a href="/amp/proverbs/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing, How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge? <a href="/csb/proverbs/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge? <a href="/hcsb/proverbs/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge? <a href="/asv/proverbs/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? <a href="/cev/proverbs/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge? <a href="/erv/proverbs/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and scorners delight them in scorning, and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/gwt/proverbs/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? <a href="/gnt/proverbs/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn? <a href="/isv/proverbs/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> "You na锟絭e ones, how long will you love naivete? And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing or fools hate knowledge?" <a href="/msb/proverbs/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/net/proverbs/1.htm">NET Bible</a> "How long will you simpletons love naivete? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/nheb/proverbs/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/wbt/proverbs/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/web/proverbs/1.htm">World English Bible</a> “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/proverbs/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Until when, you simple, do you love simplicity? And have scorners desired their scorning? And do fools hate knowledge? <a href="/ylt/proverbs/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Till when, ye simple, do ye love simplicity? And have scorners their scorning desired? And do fools hate knowledge? <a href="/slt/proverbs/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> How long, ye simple, will ye love simplicity? and mockers delight to mock for them, and the foolish hate knowledge?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/proverbs/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> O children, how long will you love childishness, and fools covet those things which are hurtful to themselves, and the unwise hate knowledge? <a href="/cpdv/proverbs/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Little ones, how long will you choose to be childish, and how long will the foolish desire what is harmful to themselves, and how long will the imprudent hate knowledge? <a href="/nabre/proverbs/1.htm">New American Bible</a> “How long, you naive ones, will you love naivete, <a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> How long, you simple ones, will you love childishness? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/hpbt/proverbs/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> How long, children, will you love childishness, and you mockers desire mockery, and you fools hate knowledge?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/proverbs/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> How long, ye thoughtless, will ye love thoughtlessness? And how long will scorners delight them in scorning, And fools hate knowledge? <a href="/sep/proverbs/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> So long as the simple cleave to justice, they shall not be ashamed: but the foolish being lovers of haughtiness, having become ungodly have hated knowledge, and are become subject to reproofs. <a href="/parallel/proverbs/1-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=130" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/proverbs/1.htm">Wisdom Calls Aloud</a> …21in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: 22<a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">“How</a> <a href="/hebrew/4970.htm" title="4970: mā·ṯay (Interrog) -- When?. From an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent; but used only adverbially, when.">long,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6612.htm" title="6612: pə·ṯā·yim (N-mp) -- Simple, perhaps open-minded. Or pethiy; or pthaeiy; from pathah; silly.">O simple ones,</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: tə·’ê·hă·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">will you love</a> <a href="/hebrew/6612.htm" title="6612: p̄e·ṯî (N-ms) -- Simple, perhaps open-minded. Or pethiy; or pthaeiy; from pathah; silly.">your simple ways?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3887.htm" title="3887: wə·lê·ṣîm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. To scoff; hence to interpret, or intercede.">How long will scoffers</a> <a href="/hebrew/2530.htm" title="2530: ḥā·mə·ḏū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To desire, take pleasure in. A primitive root; to delight in.">delight</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3944.htm" title="3944: lā·ṣō·wn (N-ms) -- A scorning. From luwts; derision.">in their scorn</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: ū·ḵə·sî·lîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">and fools</a> <a href="/hebrew/8130.htm" title="8130: yiś·nə·’ū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">hate</a> <a href="/hebrew/1847.htm" title="1847: ḏā·‘aṯ (N-fs) -- Knowledge. From yada'; knowledge.">knowledge?</a> 23If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/9-4.htm">Proverbs 9:4-6</a> “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. / “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. / Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” <a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Proverbs 8:5</a> O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. <a href="/proverbs/14-6.htm">Proverbs 14:6</a> A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Proverbs 15:21</a> Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Proverbs 19:25</a> Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. <a href="/proverbs/21-11.htm">Proverbs 21:11</a> When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. <a href="/proverbs/22-3.htm">Proverbs 22:3</a> The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences. <a href="/proverbs/23-9.htm">Proverbs 23:9</a> Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. <a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a> Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Proverbs 29:9</a> If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. <a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Matthew 11:16-19</a> To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: / ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ / For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ ... <a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31-35</a> “To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like? / They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ / For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ ... <a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Luke 11:52</a> Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?how<a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9</a> How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?<a href="/exodus/10-3.htm">Exodus 10:3</a> And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.<a href="/exodus/16-28.htm">Exodus 16:28</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?ye simple<a href="/proverbs/7-7.htm">Proverbs 7:7</a> And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,<a href="/proverbs/9-4.htm">Proverbs 9:4-6,16-18</a> Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, … <a href="/psalms/94-8.htm">Psalm 94:8</a> Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?the scorners<a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Proverbs 3:34</a> Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.<a href="/proverbs/14-6.htm">Proverbs 14:6</a> A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.<a href="/proverbs/15-12.htm">Proverbs 15:12</a> A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.fools<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7,29</a> The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction… <a href="/proverbs/5-12.htm">Proverbs 5:12</a> And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;<a href="/john/3-20.htm">John 3:20</a> For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/144-2.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/psalms/139-17.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/psalms/149-4.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/psalms/139-22.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/psalms/143-12.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/145-20.htm">Love</a> <a href="/psalms/35-16.htm">Mockers</a> <a href="/numbers/22-29.htm">Mockery</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Naive</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Scoffers</a> <a href="/psalms/123-4.htm">Scoffing</a> <a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Scorners</a> <a href="/psalms/123-4.htm">Scorning</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Simple-Minded</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-4.htm">Simplicity</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-18.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/30-8.htm">Thoughtless</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Thoughtlessness</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-19.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-12.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-14.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-29.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-6.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Mockers</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Mockery</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Naive</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-8.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Scoffers</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Scoffing</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Scorners</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-8.htm">Scorning</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Simple-Minded</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-17.htm">Simplicity</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Thoughtless</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Thoughtlessness</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-31.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 1</div>1. <a href="/proverbs/1-1.htm">The use of the proverbs</a> 7. <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">An exhortation to fear God, and believe his word</a> 10. <a href="/proverbs/1-10.htm">to avoid the enticing of sinners</a> 20. <a href="/proverbs/1-20.htm">Wisdom complains of her contempt</a> 24. <a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">She threatens her contemners</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 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width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? The term "simple ones" refers to those who are naive or inexperienced in wisdom and understanding. In the biblical context, simplicity is not a virtue but a state of ignorance or lack of discernment. The question "How long" implies a call to repentance and change, urging the simple to seek wisdom. This echoes the call of wisdom throughout Proverbs, where wisdom is personified and calls out to those who lack understanding (<a href="/proverbs/8.htm">Proverbs 8:1-5</a>). The love for "simple ways" suggests a preference for ease and comfort over the pursuit of wisdom, which requires effort and discipline. This reflects the broader biblical theme of choosing the narrow path of righteousness over the broad path of folly (<a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a>).How long will scoffers delight in their scorn "Scoffers" are those who mock or ridicule wisdom and truth. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, scoffing was a serious offense as it showed a hardened heart resistant to correction. The delight in scorn indicates a deep-seated pride and arrogance, as scoffers take pleasure in rejecting wisdom and leading others astray. This behavior is condemned throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a>, which warns against walking in the counsel of the wicked or sitting in the seat of scoffers. The rhetorical question "How long" serves as a divine lament, expressing God's patience and desire for repentance, yet also highlighting the urgency of turning away from such destructive behavior.and fools hate knowledge? "Fools" in Proverbs are characterized by their rejection of wisdom and understanding. The hatred of knowledge signifies a willful ignorance and a refusal to learn or grow. This is not merely an intellectual deficiency but a moral failing, as true knowledge in the biblical sense involves a relationship with God and adherence to His commandments (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). The fool's disdain for knowledge is contrasted with the wise, who treasure and seek after it (<a href="/proverbs/2.htm">Proverbs 2:1-6</a>). This phrase underscores the biblical principle that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, and without this foundation, knowledge is despised and rejected. The call to abandon foolishness and embrace wisdom is a recurring theme in Scripture, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of wisdom in Jesus Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/simple_ones.htm">Simple Ones</a> In the context of Proverbs, "simple ones" refers to those who are naive or inexperienced, lacking wisdom and discernment. The Hebrew word used here is "p?thiy," which implies an openness to influence, often leading to gullibility. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scoffers.htm">Scoffers</a> These are individuals who mock or ridicule wisdom and instruction. The Hebrew term "lêts" suggests a person who is arrogant and dismissive of truth. 3. <a href="/topical/f/fools.htm">Fools</a> In Proverbs, "fools" are those who reject wisdom and knowledge. The Hebrew word "k?ciyl" indicates someone who is morally deficient and obstinate in their ignorance. 4. <a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a> While not a person, wisdom is personified throughout Proverbs as calling out to the simple, scoffers, and fools, urging them to turn from their ways. 5. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> Traditionally, Solomon is considered the author of Proverbs, known for his God-given wisdom and his role as the king of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_wisdom.htm">The Call to Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a> is a call to abandon simplicity, scorn, and foolishness in favor of wisdom. It challenges believers to seek understanding and discernment actively. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complacency.htm">The Danger of Complacency</a> The verse warns against complacency in spiritual growth. Loving simple ways and delighting in scorn can lead to a hardened heart resistant to God's truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_knowledge.htm">The Importance of Knowledge</a> Fools hate knowledge, but as believers, we are called to love and pursue it. Knowledge of God and His Word is foundational to living a life that honors Him. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_correction.htm">Responding to Correction</a> The verse implies a need for humility and openness to correction. Believers should be willing to learn and grow, even when it challenges their current understanding. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a> Engaging with a community of believers can help guard against the pitfalls of simplicity, scorn, and foolishness by providing accountability and encouragement.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 1</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_fools.htm">What does the Bible say about fools?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'scoffers'_mean.htm">What does "Scoffers in the Last Days" signify?</a> <a href="/q/does_proverbs_23_9_conflict_with_sharing_truth.htm">Proverbs 23:9 says not to speak to a fool; does this conflict with the New Testament’s call to share truth with everyone? </a> <a href="/q/does_proverbs_26_7_contradict_other_wisdom.htm">Proverbs 26:7: Does the idea of a proverb in a fool’s mouth being “useless” conflict with other Bible passages that suggest all wisdom is beneficial? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) How long . . .--Three classes of persons are here addressed: (1) simple ones, open to good influences, but also to evil (<a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm" title="To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.">Proverbs 1:4</a>); (2) scorners (l?tsim), men who despised what was holy, priding themselves on their cleverness in so doing (<a href="/proverbs/14-6.htm" title="A scorner seeks wisdom, and finds it not: but knowledge is easy to him that understands.">Proverbs 14:6</a>), who avoided the wise, and held themselves above their advice (<a href="/proverbs/15-12.htm" title="A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go to the wise.">Proverbs 15:12</a>), proud, arrogant men (<a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm" title="Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.">Proverbs 21:24</a>). The name first appears at the time of Solomon, when the prosperity of the nation was favourable to the growth of religious indifference and scepticism. Isaiah had to deal with them in his day, too (<a href="/isaiah/28-14.htm" title="Why hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.">Isaiah 28:14</a>). (3) Fools (khesilim), dull, stupid persons, stolidly confident in their own wisdom.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 22. - How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? etc. From this verse to the end of the chapter the sacred writer puts before us the words of Wisdom herself. The discourse begins in the same way as in <a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2</a> (Zockler), and the classification of the persons addressed - the simple, the scorners, and the sinners - closely resembles that of <a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a>. In the order there is a progression from the least to the most culpable. The simple (פְתָיִם, p'thayim), as in ver. 4, those who are indifferent through thoughtlessness and inconsiderateness, and are thereby open to evil. The scorners (לֵצֵים, letsim); or, mockers, the same as the (לָצון, latson) "scornful men" of <a href="/proverbs/29-8.htm">Proverbs 29:8</a>, derived from the root לּוּצ (luts), "to deride, mock," probably by imitating the voice in derision. The mockers are those who hold all things in derision, both human and Divine, who contemn God's admonitions, and treat with ridicule both threatenings and promises alike. Fools; כְסִילִים (ch'silim), a different word from the evilim of ver. 7, but signifying much the same, i.e. the obdurate, the hardened, stolidi, those who walk after the sight of their eyes and the imagination of their hearts - a class not ignorant of knowledge, but hating it because of the restraint it puts them under. The word occurs in <a href="/proverbs/17-10.htm">Proverbs 17:10</a>, in the sense of the incorrigible; in <a href="/proverbs/26-3.htm">Proverbs 26:3, 4</a> as a term of the greatest contempt. The enallage, or interchange of tenses in the original - the verbs "love" and "hate" being future, and "delight" being perfect - is not reproducible in English. The perfect is used interchangeably with the future where the action or state is represented as first coming to pass or in progress, and, as Zockler remarks, may be inchoative, and so be rendered "become fond of," instead of "be fond of." But it appears to represent not so much a state or action first coming to pass as in progress (see Geseuius, 'Gram.,' § 126, 3). Bottcher (§ 948, 2) translates it by concupiverint, i.e. "How long shall ye have delighted in scorning?" The futures express "love" and "hate" as habitual sentiments (Delitzsch). It is to be noted that the language of Wisdom, in vers. 22 and 23, is expressive of the most tender and earnest solicitude. <a href="/commentaries/proverbs/1-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“How עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while long, מָתַ֣י ׀ (mā·ṯay) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4970.htm">Strong's 4970: </a> Extent, when O simple ones, פְּתָיִם֮ (pə·ṯā·yim) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6612.htm">Strong's 6612: </a> Simple, perhaps open-minded will you love תְּֽאֵהֲב֫וּ (tə·’ê·hă·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> To have affection f simplicity? פֶ֥תִי (p̄e·ṯî) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6612.htm">Strong's 6612: </a> Simple, perhaps open-minded How long will scoffers וְלֵצִ֗ים (wə·lê·ṣîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3887.htm">Strong's 3887: </a> Ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker delight חָמְד֣וּ (ḥā·mə·ḏū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2530.htm">Strong's 2530: </a> To desire, take pleasure in in their scorn לָ֭צוֹן (lā·ṣō·wn) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3944.htm">Strong's 3944: </a> A scorning and fools וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים (ū·ḵə·sî·lîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> Stupid fellow, dullard, fool hate יִשְׂנְאוּ־ (yiś·nə·’ū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> To hate knowledge? דָֽעַת׃ (ḏā·‘aṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1847.htm">Strong's 1847: </a> Knowledge <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 1:22 How long you simple ones will you (Prov. 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