New King James Version
Proverbs 8:5
5O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Proverbs 8:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
- New International Version (NIV)You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
- English Standard Version (ESV)O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
- New Living Translation (NLT)You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.
Context of Proverbs 8:5
3She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Read all of Proverbs 8Proverbs 8:5 word by word
הָבִ֣ינוּ פְתָאיִ֣ם עָרְמָ֑ה וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים הָבִ֥ינוּ לֵֽב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 8:5
- Proverbs 1:22“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
- Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
- Psalms 19:7The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
- Psalms 94:8Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise?
- Isaiah 42:13The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies.
- Isaiah 55:1“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
- Acts 26:18to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
- 1 Corinthians 1:28and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
- 1 Corinthians 6:9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
- Revelation 3:17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Commentaries on Proverbs 8:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5O ye simple - פתאים pethaim, ye that are deceived, and with flattering words and fair speeches deluded and drawn away. Ye fools - כסילים kesilim, ye stupid, stiffnecked, senseless people. That preaching is never likely to do much good, that is not pointed; specifying and describing vices, and charging them home on the consciences of transgressors. Where this is not done, the congregation is unconcerned; no man supposes he has any thing to do in the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-36The first part of Proverbs reaches a peak when the son meets two women. Both invite the young man, and the reader, into a close relationship. The young man and the reader must choose between: The woman named Wisdom, who represents God's true wisdom (Proverbs 8:1–9:6) The woman named Folly (9:13–18), who represents worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18–2:16) Both women's houses are on "the heights of the city" (Proverbs 9:3, 14), which suggests ancient…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. wisdom--literally, "subtilty" in a good sense, or, "prudence." fools--as Pr 1:22.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 8:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 8
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries