Proverbs 14:15
New International Version
The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.

New Living Translation
Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

English Standard Version
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

Berean Standard Bible
The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

King James Bible
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

New King James Version
The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

New American Standard Bible
The naive believes everything, But the sensible person considers his steps.

NASB 1995
The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

NASB 1977
The naive believes everything, But the prudent man considers his steps.

Legacy Standard Bible
The simple believes everything, But the prudent one discerns his steps.

Amplified Bible
The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears, But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.

Christian Standard Bible
The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.

American Standard Version
The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Contemporary English Version
Don't be stupid and believe all you hear; be smart and know where you are headed.

English Revised Version
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A gullible person believes anything, but a sensible person watches his step.

Good News Translation
A fool will believe anything; smart people watch their step.

International Standard Version
An unthinking person believes everything, but the prudent one thinks before acting.

Majority Standard Bible
The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

NET Bible
A naive person believes everything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.

New Heart English Bible
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

Webster's Bible Translation
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

World English Bible
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The simple gives credence to everything, "" And the prudent attends to his step.

Young's Literal Translation
The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.

Smith's Literal Translation
The simple will believe to every word: and the prudent will understand to his going.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings, and his way shall be made straight.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.

New American Bible
The naive believe everything, but the shrewd watch their steps.

New Revised Standard Version
The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The simple man believes every word; but the prudent discerns between good and evil.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A child believes every word, and a cunning one distinguishes good from evil.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The thoughtless believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Wise Woman
14The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways. 15The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. 16A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.…

Cross References
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

1 Thessalonians 5:21
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil. / Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Romans 16:19
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

2 Timothy 3:14-15
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. / From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Psalm 19:7
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Proverbs 22:3
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.


Treasury of Scripture

The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going.

simple

Proverbs 4:26
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Proverbs 27:12
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

the prudent

Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Amos 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Acts 13:7
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

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Attendeth Believes Believeth Carefully Considers Credence Faith Gives Good Heedeth Looks Naive Prudent Sense Sensible Simple Step Steps Thought Thoughtless Ways Word
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Attendeth Believes Believeth Carefully Considers Credence Faith Gives Good Heedeth Looks Naive Prudent Sense Sensible Simple Step Steps Thought Thoughtless Ways Word
Proverbs 14
1. A wise woman builds her house














The simple man
The Hebrew word for "simple" is "פֶּתִי" (pethi), which refers to someone who is naive or easily influenced. In the context of ancient Israel, a "simple" person lacked discernment and was susceptible to deception. This term is often used in Proverbs to describe individuals who have not yet embraced wisdom and understanding. The "simple man" is not necessarily foolish by choice but is in a state of vulnerability due to a lack of experience or knowledge. This highlights the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding to avoid being misled.

believes every word
The phrase "believes every word" suggests a lack of discernment and critical thinking. In the ancient world, oral communication was the primary means of sharing information, and the "simple man" would accept whatever he heard without questioning its validity. This can be likened to the modern-day challenge of discerning truth amidst a flood of information. The Bible consistently encourages believers to test what they hear against the truth of God's Word, emphasizing the need for discernment and wisdom.

but the prudent man
The term "prudent" is translated from the Hebrew word "עָרוּם" (arum), which conveys a sense of shrewdness, wisdom, and foresight. A "prudent man" is someone who exercises good judgment and is cautious in his actions. In the biblical context, prudence is a virtue that enables individuals to navigate life's complexities with wisdom and understanding. The prudent person is contrasted with the simple one, highlighting the value of wisdom and careful consideration in decision-making.

watches his steps
The phrase "watches his steps" implies careful consideration and deliberate action. In the Hebrew context, "watching one's steps" is a metaphor for living a life of wisdom and integrity. It suggests an awareness of one's actions and their consequences, as well as a commitment to walking in righteousness. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of walking in the path of wisdom, which leads to life and blessing. The prudent man is vigilant and intentional, ensuring that his actions align with God's will and purpose.

(15) The simple.--See above on Proverbs 1:22.

Believeth every word.--And so, having no fixed principles by which to go, often takes a wrong step; while the prudent man considers well (Proverbs 14:8) whither each step will lead, and therefore does not go astray.

Verse 15. - The simple believeth every word. "Simple" (pethi), the credulous person, open to all influences (Proverbs 1:22). The Vulgate has innocens, and the Septuagint ἄκακος; but the word is best taken in an unfavourable sense. The credulous fool believes all that he hears without proof or examination; having no fixed principles of his own, he is at the mercy of any adviser, and is easily led astray. Ecclus. 19:4, "He that is hasty to give credit is light minded, and he that sinneth (thus) shall offend against his own soul." It is often remarked how credulous are unbelievers in supernaturalism. They who refuse to credit the most assured facts of Christ's history will pin their faith on some philosophical theory or insufficiently supported opinion, and will bluster and contend in maintenance of a notion today which tomorrow will prove untenable and absurd. Many who despise the miraculous teaching of the Bible accept the follies and frauds of spiritualism (comp. John 5:43). Hesiod, Ἔργ, 372 -

Πίστεις δ ἄρ τοι ὁμῶς καὶ ἀπιστίαι ὤλεσαν

"Belief and unbelief alike are fatal." Cato, 'Dist.,' 2:20 -

"Noli tu quaedam referenti credere semper;
Exigua his tribuenda fides qui multa loquuntur.'
The prudent man looketh well to his going (ver. 8); Vulgate, Astutus considerat gressus suos. The prudent man considers whither the advice given will lead him, always acts with deliberation. This maxim is attributed to Pythagoras - . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The simple [man]
פֶּ֭תִי (pe·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6612: Simple, perhaps open-minded

believes
יַאֲמִ֣ין (ya·’ă·mîn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

every
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

word,
דָּבָ֑ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

but the prudent man
וְ֝עָר֗וּם (wə·‘ā·rūm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6175: Crafty, shrewd, sensible

watches
יָבִ֥ין (yā·ḇîn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

his steps.
לַאֲשֻׁרֽוֹ׃ (la·’ă·šu·rōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 838: Step, going


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes everything (Prov. Pro Pr)
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