For the LORD detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.

The Holy Bible : Today’s New International Version. 2005 (Pr 3:32–35). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The author of the Book of Proverbs is splitting humanity into two groups: the foolish and the wise. The wise are identified with the righteous, the humble, the oppressed. The foolish are identified as the mockers, the perverse, and the wicked. The purpose of the book of proverbs is to help the foolish become wise and to keep the wise from becoming foolish.

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