Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. New Living Translation You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. English Standard Version O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Berean Standard Bible O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. King James Bible O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. New King James Version O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. New American Standard Bible “You naive ones, understand prudence; And, you fools, understand wisdom! NASB 1995 “O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. NASB 1977 “O naive ones, discern prudence; And, O fools, discern wisdom. Legacy Standard Bible O simple ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand a heart of wisdom. Amplified Bible “O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense; And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living]. Christian Standard Bible Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Holman Christian Standard Bible Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. American Standard Version O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart. Contemporary English Version Good sense and sound judgment can be yours. English Revised Version O ye simple, understand subtilty; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. GOD'S WORD® Translation You gullible people, learn how to be sensible. You fools, get a heart that has understanding. Good News Translation Are you immature? Learn to be mature. Are you foolish? Learn to have sense. International Standard Version Understand prudence, you na�ve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones. Majority Standard Bible O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. NET Bible You who are naive, discern wisdom! And you fools, understand discernment! New Heart English Bible You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart. Webster's Bible Translation O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. World English Bible You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionUnderstand, you simple ones, prudence, "" And you fools, understand the heart, Young's Literal Translation Understand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart, Smith's Literal Translation Understand craftiness, ye simple: and ye foolish, understand the heart. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleO little ones, understand subtilty, and ye unwise, take notice. Catholic Public Domain Version O little ones, understand discernment. And you who are unwise, turn your souls. New American Bible You naive ones, gain prudence, you fools, gain sense. New Revised Standard Version O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo that the simple ones may understand prudence and the fools understand in their heart. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated That children may understand subtlety and the feeble minds may know in their heart. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Brenton Septuagint Translation O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Excellence of Wisdom…4“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men. 5O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. 6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.… Cross References 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 1:22-23 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? / If 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. Proverbs 9:4-6 “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.” Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Proverbs 14:6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Proverbs 1:4 To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, Proverbs 2:2-6 if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, / if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, ... Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. Ephesians 5:15-17 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil. / Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Proverbs 19:8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. Proverbs 23:23 Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding. Colossians 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment. Treasury of Scripture O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart. Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Jump to Previous Attention Expert Foolish Fools Gain Heart Learn Naive Ones Pay Prudence Reason Simple Thoughtless Understand Understanding WisdomJump to Next Attention Expert Foolish Fools Gain Heart Learn Naive Ones Pay Prudence Reason Simple Thoughtless Understand Understanding WisdomProverbs 8 1. the fame6. and evidence of wisdom 10. The excellence 12. the nature 15. the power 18. the riches 22. and the eternity of wisdom 32. Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; This phrase addresses those who are naive or inexperienced, urging them to develop discernment and wisdom. In the biblical context, "simple" often refers to those who lack judgment or are easily led astray (Proverbs 1:4). The call to "learn to be shrewd" suggests acquiring practical wisdom and the ability to make sound decisions. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of seeking wisdom, as seen in James 1:5, where believers are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. The Hebrew word for "shrewd" can also imply prudence or craftiness, which is not inherently negative but rather denotes a keen awareness and understanding of situations. This wisdom is not just intellectual but moral, guiding one to live righteously. O fools, gain understanding. Persons / Places / Events 1. The SimpleIn the context of Proverbs, the "simple" refers to those who are naive or inexperienced in wisdom. They are not necessarily foolish by choice but lack discernment and understanding. 2. The Foolish This group is characterized by a lack of wisdom and understanding, often making poor choices due to ignorance or stubbornness. 3. Wisdom Personified in Proverbs 8, Wisdom is depicted as calling out to the simple and foolish, urging them to embrace understanding and shrewdness. 4. Solomon Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings aim to impart wisdom to others. 5. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was highly valued and seen as a guide for righteous living. Teaching Points The Call to WisdomWisdom is not passive; it actively calls out to those who lack it. We must be attentive and responsive to its call in our lives. The Importance of Shrewdness Being shrewd involves practical wisdom and discernment. As Christians, we are called to be wise in our decisions and interactions, reflecting God's wisdom. Gaining Understanding Understanding is more than knowledge; it involves insight and the ability to apply knowledge rightly. We should seek understanding through prayer, study, and reflection on God's Word. Transformation through Wisdom Embracing wisdom leads to transformation. As we grow in understanding, our lives should reflect the character and values of Christ. The Role of Community Wisdom is often gained in community. Engaging with other believers in study and discussion can enhance our understanding and application of biblical principles.(5) O ye simple.--See above on Proverbs 1:4 for an explanation of "simple," as also of "wisdom" ('ormah) there translated "subtilty." Ye fools.--(khesilim), see above on Proverbs 1:22. Verse 5. - O ye simple, understand wisdom. "The simple," those not yet perverted, but easily influenced for good or evil. See on Proverbs 1:4, where also is explained the word ormah, used here for "wisdom;" equivalent to calliditas in a good sense, or πανουργία, as sometimes employed in the Septuagint; so here: νοήσατε ἄκακοι πανουργίαν, "subtlety." Ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. For "fools" (khesilim), the intellectually heavy and dull, see on Proverbs 1:22. The heart is considered the seat of the mind or understanding (comp. Proverbs 15:32; Proverbs 17:16, etc.). Septuagint, "Ye that are untaught, take in heart (ἔνθεσθε καρδίαν)." The call thus addressed to various classes of parsons is like the section in 1 John 2, "I write unto you. little children," etc.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew O you simple,פְתָאיִ֣ם (p̄ə·ṯā·yim) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6612: Simple, perhaps open-minded learn הָבִ֣ינוּ (hā·ḇî·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand to be shrewd, עָרְמָ֑ה (‘ā·rə·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6195: Trickery, discretion and you foolish, וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים (ū·ḵə·sî·lîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool gain understanding. הָבִ֥ינוּ (hā·ḇî·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand Links Proverbs 8:5 NIVProverbs 8:5 NLT Proverbs 8:5 ESV Proverbs 8:5 NASB Proverbs 8:5 KJV Proverbs 8:5 BibleApps.com Proverbs 8:5 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 8:5 Chinese Bible Proverbs 8:5 French Bible Proverbs 8:5 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:5 You simple understand prudence (Prov. Pro Pr) |
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