“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says,
Parallel translations
- WEB “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- KJV Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
- BSB “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
- NKJV “Whoeveris simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
- NLT “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
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 invites the simple and those lacking understanding to turn in to her. She welcomes the needy and undiscerning, not only the already-wise.
Overview
Strikingly, wisdom's invitation targets the 'simple' and those who lack understanding—precisely those most in need of help. Wisdom is not reserved for an elite but offered to all who will admit their need. This grace toward the lowly mirrors the gospel, where Christ calls not the self-righteous but those who know they are needy (Matthew 9:13).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Prov 6:32He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul.
- Prov 9:16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- Matt 11:25At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
- Prov 8:5You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
- Prov 1:22“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
- Ps 119:130The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
- Ps 19:7Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
- Rev 3:17–18Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
- Rev 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 9:4 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.