Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. New Living Translation Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. English Standard Version The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Berean Standard Bible The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. King James Bible The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. New King James Version The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. New American Standard Bible The naive believes everything, But the sensible person considers his steps. NASB 1995 The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps. NASB 1977 The naive believes everything, But the prudent man considers his steps. Legacy Standard Bible The simple believes everything, But the prudent one discerns his steps. Amplified Bible The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears, But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going. Christian Standard Bible The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps. Holman Christian Standard Bible The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps. American Standard Version The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going. Contemporary English Version Don't be stupid and believe all you hear; be smart and know where you are headed. English Revised Version The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. GOD'S WORD® Translation A gullible person believes anything, but a sensible person watches his step. Good News Translation A fool will believe anything; smart people watch their step. International Standard Version An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting. Majority Standard Bible The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. NET Bible A naive person believes everything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps. New Heart English Bible A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. Webster's Bible Translation The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. World English Bible A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe simple gives credence to everything, "" And the prudent attends to his step. Young's Literal Translation The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step. Smith's Literal Translation The simple will believe to every word: and the prudent will understand to his going. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings, and his way shall be made straight. Catholic Public Domain Version The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order. New American Bible The naive believe everything, but the shrewd watch their steps. New Revised Standard Version The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe simple man believes every word; but the prudent discerns between good and evil. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A child believes every word, and a cunning one distinguishes good from evil. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The thoughtless believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going. Brenton Septuagint Translation The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Wise Woman…14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. 15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. 16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.… 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. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 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. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. Romans 16:19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. / From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. Psalm 19:7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. Proverbs 22:3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Treasury of Scripture The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going. simple Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. the prudent Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Amos 5:13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. Acts 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. Jump to Previous Attendeth Believes Believeth Carefully Considers Credence Faith Gives Good Heedeth Looks Naive Prudent Sense Sensible Simple Step Steps Thought Thoughtless Ways WordJump to Next Attendeth Believes Believeth Carefully Considers Credence Faith Gives Good Heedeth Looks Naive Prudent Sense Sensible Simple Step Steps Thought Thoughtless Ways WordProverbs 14 1. A wise woman builds her houseThe simple man believes every word This phrase highlights the characteristic of a "simple" person, often understood as someone who is naive or lacking discernment. In biblical context, simplicity is not merely about lack of intelligence but a lack of spiritual and moral insight. The simple person is easily swayed and accepts information without critical evaluation. This can be seen in the broader biblical narrative where the Israelites often fell into idolatry by following false prophets and deceptive words (Jeremiah 7:8). The simplicity here is a warning against gullibility, which can lead to spiritual and moral downfall. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, oral tradition was a primary means of communication, making discernment crucial in distinguishing truth from falsehood. but the prudent man watches his steps Persons / Places / Events 1. The Simple ManIn the context of Proverbs, the "simple" refers to someone who is naive or lacking in discernment. This person is easily swayed and tends to accept information without critical evaluation. 2. The Prudent Man This individual is characterized by wisdom and discernment. The prudent person carefully considers their actions and the information they receive, making thoughtful decisions. 3. Solomon Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom. His teachings often contrast the wise and the foolish, encouraging the pursuit of wisdom. 4. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction. 5. Wisdom Literature A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical life skills and moral behavior. Teaching Points Discernment is KeyIn a world filled with information, discernment is crucial. Believers are called to evaluate what they hear and see through the lens of Scripture. Seek Wisdom Actively Wisdom is not passive. It requires active seeking and application. Engage with God's Word and seek His guidance in decision-making. Guard Your Heart and Mind Be cautious about what you allow to influence your thoughts and beliefs. Protect your heart by aligning it with biblical truth. Prudence in Action Being prudent involves careful planning and consideration of consequences. Apply this in daily decisions, ensuring they align with God's will. Encourage Others in Wisdom As you grow in discernment, encourage others to do the same. Share insights and wisdom with those around you.(15) The simple.--See above on Proverbs 1:22. Believeth every word.--And so, having no fixed principles by which to go, often takes a wrong step; while the prudent man considers well (Proverbs 14:8) whither each step will lead, and therefore does not go astray. Verse 15. - The simple believeth every word. "Simple" (pethi), the credulous person, open to all influences (Proverbs 1:22). The Vulgate has innocens, and the Septuagint ἄκακος; but the word is best taken in an unfavourable sense. The credulous fool believes all that he hears without proof or examination; having no fixed principles of his own, he is at the mercy of any adviser, and is easily led astray. Ecclus. 19:4, "He that is hasty to give credit is light minded, and he that sinneth (thus) shall offend against his own soul." It is often remarked how credulous are unbelievers in supernaturalism. They who refuse to credit the most assured facts of Christ's history will pin their faith on some philosophical theory or insufficiently supported opinion, and will bluster and contend in maintenance of a notion today which tomorrow will prove untenable and absurd. Many who despise the miraculous teaching of the Bible accept the follies and frauds of spiritualism (comp. John 5:43). Hesiod, Ἔργ, 372 -Πίστεις δ ἄρ τοι ὁμῶς καὶ ἀπιστίαι ὤλεσαν "Belief and unbelief alike are fatal." Cato, 'Dist.,' 2:20 - "Noli tu quaedam referenti credere semper; Hebrew The simple [man]פֶּ֭תִי (pe·ṯî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6612: Simple, perhaps open-minded believes יַאֲמִ֣ין (ya·’ă·mîn) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 539: To confirm, support every לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every word, דָּבָ֑ר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause but the prudent man וְ֝עָר֗וּם (wə·‘ā·rūm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6175: Crafty, shrewd, sensible watches יָבִ֥ין (yā·ḇîn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand his steps. לַאֲשֻׁרֽוֹ׃ (la·’ă·šu·rōw) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 838: Step, going Links Proverbs 14:15 NIVProverbs 14:15 NLT Proverbs 14:15 ESV Proverbs 14:15 NASB Proverbs 14:15 KJV Proverbs 14:15 BibleApps.com Proverbs 14:15 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 14:15 Chinese Bible Proverbs 14:15 French Bible Proverbs 14:15 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes everything (Prov. 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