Lexicon :: Strong's H6612 - pᵊṯî

The law of the LORD is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;

The statutes of the LORD are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.

[fn]The LORD protects the simple (childlike);

I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me.

The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;

Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled],

And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,

“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning?

How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing,

How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?

“For the turning away of the [fn]naive will kill them,

And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.

And among the naive [the inexperienced and gullible],

I saw among the youths

A young man lacking [good] sense,

“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense;

And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].

“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”

As for him who lacks understanding, she says,

“Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live,

And walk in the way of insight and understanding.”

“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”

And to him who lacks understanding (common sense), she says,

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.

The naive [are unsophisticated and easy to exploit and] inherit foolishness,

But the sensible [are thoughtful and far-sighted and] are crowned with knowledge.

Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent;

Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.

When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise;

But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.

A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],

But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

A prudent man sees evil and hides himself and avoids it,

But the naive [who are easily misled] continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].