O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
Parallel translations
- WEB You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
- KJV O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
- NKJV O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
- NASB “You naive ones, understand prudence; And, you fools, understand wisdom!
- NLT You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Wisdom urges the naive and foolish to gain prudence and understanding. Even the simple are invited to grow wise.
Overview
She calls the simple to learn prudence and fools to acquire a discerning heart. Far from despising the ignorant, wisdom invites them to change and grow. The verse offers hope that anyone willing to listen can move from folly toward true understanding.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Prov 1:22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- Rev 3:17–18You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
- Prov 9:4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
- Acts 26:18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- 1 Cor 6:9–11Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts,
- Ps 19:7The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Prov 1:4To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,
- Ps 94:8Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
- Isa 42:13The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:
- Isa 55:1–3“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
- 1 Cor 1:28He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 8:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.