Proverbs 1:4

New International Version

⁴for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]^(A)
knowledge and discretion^(B) to the young—

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Footnotes

Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.

Proverbs 1:4 in all English translations

Proverbs 8:5

New International Version

⁵You who are simple,^(A) gain prudence;^(B)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[a]

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Footnotes

Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

Proverbs 8:5 in all English translations

Proverbs 8:12

New International Version

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.^(A)

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Proverbs 8:12 in all English translations

Titus 2:6

New International Version

⁶Similarly, encourage the young men^(A) to be self-controlled.^(B)

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Titus 2:6 in all English translations

2 Timothy 2:22

New International Version

²²Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(A) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(B) out of a pure heart.^(C)

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2 Timothy 2:22 in all English translations

Proverbs 9:4-6

New International Version

⁴    “Let all who are simple^(A) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense^(B) she says,
⁵    “Come,^(C) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.^(D)
⁶Leave your simple ways and you will live;^(E)
    walk in the way of insight.”^(F)

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Proverbs 8:32

New International Version

³²“Now then, my children, listen^(A) to me;
blessed are^(B) those who keep my ways.^(C)

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Proverbs 8:32 in all English translations

Proverbs 8:17

New International Version

¹⁷I love those who love me,^(A)
and those who seek me find me.^(B)

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Proverbs 8:17 in all English translations

Isaiah 35:8

New International Version

⁸And a highway^(A) will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;^(B)
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean^(C) will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.

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Isaiah 35:8 in all English translations

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1

New International Version

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.^(A)
¹⁰So then, banish anxiety^(B) from your heart
    and cast off the troubles of your body,
    for youth and vigor are meaningless.^(C)

12 Remember^(D) your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble^(E) come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—

Proverbs 7:7-24

New International Version

⁷I saw among the simple,
    I noticed among the young men,
    a youth who had no sense.^(A)
⁸He was going down the street near her corner,
    walking along in the direction of her house
⁹at twilight,^(B) as the day was fading,
    as the dark of night set in.

¹⁰Then out came a woman to meet him,
    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
¹¹(She is unruly^(C) and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
¹²now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)^(D)
¹³She took hold of him^(E) and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:^(F)

¹⁴“Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering^(G) at home.
¹⁵So I came out to meet you;
    I looked for you and have found you!
¹⁶I have covered my bed
    with colored linens from Egypt.
¹⁷I have perfumed my bed^(H)
    with myrrh,^(I) aloes and cinnamon.
¹⁸Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!^(J)
¹⁹My husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
²⁰He took his purse filled with money
    and will not be home till full moon.”

²¹With persuasive words she led him astray;
    she seduced him with her smooth talk.^(K)
²²All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer^[a] stepping into a noose^[b]^(L)
²³    till an arrow pierces^(M) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.^(N)

²⁴Now then, my sons, listen^(O) to me;
pay attention to what I say.

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Footnotes

Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

Proverbs 3:21

New International Version

²¹My son,^(A) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,^(B)
preserve sound judgment and discretion;

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Proverbs 3:21 in all English translations

Proverbs 2:10-11

New International Version

¹⁰For wisdom will enter your heart,^(A)
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.^(B)

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Proverbs 1:22-23

New International Version

²²“How long will you who are simple^(A) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate^(B) knowledge?
²³Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings.