New International Version
Proverbs 1:4
4for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
Proverbs 1:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
- English Standard Version (ESV)to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
- New King James Version (NKJV)To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion—
- New Living Translation (NLT)These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
Context of Proverbs 1:4
2for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Read all of Proverbs 1Proverbs 1:4 word by word
לָתֵ֣ת לִפְתָאיִ֣ם עָרְמָ֑ה לְ֝נַ֗עַר דַּ֣עַת וּמְזִמָּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 1:4
- Proverbs 1:22“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
- Proverbs 9:4“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,
- Psalms 19:7The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Psalms 119:130The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
- Isaiah 35:8And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.
- Proverbs 7:7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
- Proverbs 8:17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
- Psalms 34:11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
- Psalms 119:9How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
- Ecclesiastes 12:1Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—
- 2 Timothy 2:22Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Commentaries on Proverbs 1:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4To give subtilty to the simple - The word simple, from simplex, compounded of sine, without, and plica, a fold, properly signifies plain and honest, one that has no by-ends in view, who is what he appears to be; and is opposed to complex, from complico, to fold together, to make one rope or cord out of many strands; but because honesty and plaindealing are so rare in the world, and none but the truly religious man will practice them, farther than the fear…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4This verse points out the two classes for which the book will be useful: (1) the “simple,” literally the “open,” the open-hearted, the minds ready to receive impressions for good or evil Proverbs 1:22; and (2) the “young,” who need both knowledge and discipline. To these the teacher offers the “subtilty,” which may turn to evil Exodus 21:14 and become as the wisdom of the serpent Genesis 3:1, but which also takes its place, as that wisdom does, among the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Simple people are like empty containers. Wisdom and foolishness compete to fill their minds and hearts (see Proverbs 9:1–18).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 1:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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