What Does the Bible Say About Being Naive?
Here are 19 Bible verses about being naive, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
BSBThe simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
- #2Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
BSBFor such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- #3Proverbs 27:12
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
BSBThe prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
- #4Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
BSBBehold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- #51 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
BSBBrothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- #6Proverbs 7:7
And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
BSBI saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment,
- #7Proverbs 1:22
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
BSB“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- #8Proverbs 1:32
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
BSBFor the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
- #9Proverbs 21:11
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
BSBWhen a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
- #10Proverbs 1:4
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
BSBTo impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,
- #11Proverbs 19:25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
BSBStrike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
- #12Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
BSBThe prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
- #13Romans 12:1-21
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; …
BSBTherefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; …
- #141 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
BSBFor God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
- #15Proverbs 8:5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
BSBO simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
- #16Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
BSBLet no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
- #17Proverbs 9:13
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
BSBThe woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
- #18Proverbs 14:18
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
BSBThe simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- #19Romans 16:19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
BSBEveryone 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.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).