Proverbs 21:11-15

Proverbs 21:11-15
English Standard Version
​11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.

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The wise learn by seeing the unwise and godless people get punished (in this case, the scoffer).  The wise man listens to the instruction he is given and learns from it.  The Righteous One that will judge the living and the dead sees everything done by the wicked--even the things done in secret.  He will destroy the wicked and throw them into the place of destruction and ruin (the lake of fire).

The person who doesn't listen to the cries of the poor and other innocent victims will be allowed to be put in a situation where he calls out for help, .and no one answers him.  

When restoration is sought in secret, anger is quelled, and wrath is averted.  While the LORD hates bribes that lead to injustice, the wise man also knows how to pay a concealed bribe ("What do I need to do or what price do I need to pay to make this right?") when he knows he was in the wrong to avoid public disgrace and formal hearings.  It may be worth it to a wise man sometimes to pay a price or do something in service to someone else to make an issue go away.

The righteous rejoice when justice is done, yet the evildoers are terrified because they could be next.  Be the kind of person who has a holy fear and respect of the LORD that causes us to obey Him rather than simply fear His wrath and judgment like the wicked do.  They foolishly spend their time trying to figure out how they might escape judgment instead of learning how they can have a relationship with the LORD.