Proverbs 8:5
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 naïve 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 Version
Understand, 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 Bible
O 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 Bible
So 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 1917
O 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.

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Proverbs 8
1. the fame
6. 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 you simple
The term "simple" in Hebrew is "pethi," which refers to those who are naive or inexperienced. In the context of Proverbs, the "simple" are not necessarily lacking intelligence but are those who are open to influence and instruction. This call is an invitation to those who have not yet committed to a path of wisdom or folly. The Bible often contrasts the simple with the wise, urging them to seek wisdom and discernment. Historically, the simple were often the young or those new to faith, needing guidance to navigate life's complexities.

learn to be shrewd
The Hebrew word for "shrewd" is "ormah," which can also be translated as prudence or craftiness. In a positive sense, it implies being wise and discerning, able to make sound judgments and decisions. This is not about deceit but about having the insight to understand situations and act wisely. The Bible encourages believers to be shrewd in their dealings, as seen in Jesus' instruction to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). This wisdom is a gift from God, cultivated through study, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

and you foolish
The "foolish" in Hebrew is "kesil," referring to those who are morally deficient or who reject wisdom. In the book of Proverbs, the fool is often depicted as one who despises instruction and correction, choosing instead the path of folly. The fool's rejection of wisdom leads to destructive outcomes, both spiritually and practically. The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of foolishness, urging individuals to turn from their ways and seek understanding.

gain understanding
The Hebrew word for "understanding" is "binah," which involves insight, discernment, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Understanding is more than knowledge; it is the application of wisdom in daily life. The pursuit of understanding is a central theme in Proverbs, as it leads to a life that honors God and benefits others. This call to gain understanding is an invitation to grow in spiritual maturity, aligning one's life with God's will and purposes. The historical context of Proverbs, as wisdom literature, emphasizes the importance of understanding as foundational to a life of faith and obedience.

(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


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