Proverbs 1:4–6

4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young—

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

4 To give subtilty to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation;

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance

6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

4 To give prudence to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion—

5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,

And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

4 They make the uneducated wise

and give knowledge and sense to the young.

5 Wise people can also listen and learn;

even they can find good advice in these words.

6 Then anyone can understand wise words and stories,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

4 To give prudence to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion:

5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;

And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and a figure,

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 He that is wise will hear, and will increase learning; and the intelligent will gain wise counsels: 6 to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.

4 to give insight to gullible people, 

to give knowledge and foresight to the young— 

5 a wise person will listen and continue to learn, 

and an understanding person will gain direction— 

6 to understand a proverb and a clever saying, 

the words of wise people and their riddles. 

4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,

knowledge and discretion to a young man—

5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning,

and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

6 for understanding a proverb or a parable,

the words of the wise, and their riddles.

4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,

knowledge and prudence to the young—

5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning

and the discerning acquire skill,

6 to understand a proverb and a figure,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

4 to give shrewdness to the simple,

knowledge and purpose to the young,

5 may the wise hear and increase learning,

and the one who understands gain direction,

6 to understand a proverb and an expression,

words of wisdom and their riddles.

4 They give understanding to childish people.

They give knowledge and good sense to those who are young.

5 Let wise people listen and add to what they have learned.

Let those who understand what is right get guidance.

6 What I’m teaching also helps you understand proverbs and stories.

It helps you understand the sayings and riddles of those who are wise.

4 To give prudence to the naive,

To the youth knowledge and discretion,

5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

6 To understand a proverb and a figure,

The words of the wise and their riddles.