Proverbs 8:5
3 Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:
4 “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.
O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
7 For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
- KJV
- O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
- WEB
- You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
- ASV
- O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
- DARBY
- O ye simple, understand prudence; and ye foolish, understand sense.
- BLB
- Discern prudence, O simple ones; and [you] foolish ones, understand the heart.
- ÅB
- Lær klokskap, dere enfoldige, og lær forstand, dere uforstandige!
- OTB
- Dere som er enfoldige, vinn klokskap; dere som er dårer, forstå visdom.
- B1930
- Lær klokskap, I enfoldige, og lær forstand, I uforstandige!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 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?
Read in contextActs 26:18
to 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.’
Read in contextProverbs 9:4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
Read in contextRevelation 3:17–18
You 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.
Read in context1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Do 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,
Read in contextPsalms 19:7
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Read in contextProverbs 1:4
To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,
Read in contextIsaiah 42:13
The 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:
Read in context