22:3

This proverb contrasts a shrewd person with people who are naive or inexperienced. These two kinds of people respond to danger or trouble in two different ways. A shrewd person recognizes danger and avoids it. Those who are naive fail to avoid danger and suffer the consequences.

3a
The prudent see danger and take cover,

3b but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

22:3a

The prudent: The phrase The prudent refers to a person who is shrewd, clever, or resourceful.

see danger: This phrase probably refers to foresight. It indicates that the prudent person can recognize potential danger or trouble. It probably does not mean that he can literally see danger approaching with his eyes.

take cover: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “hides himself,” as in the English Standard Version. It probably indicates here that the prudent person takes the necessary precautions to avoid trouble or danger.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it (Good News Translation)

22:3b

but the simple keep going: In contrast to people who are shrewd, those who are naïve are unwary. They continue in their course of action without thinking of the consequences. The contrast with 11:3a implies that naive people do not foresee the trouble that lies ahead. Therefore, they do not avoid it.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

but an unthinking person will walk right into it (Good News Translation)
-or-
while simpletons continue on (New American Bible)

and suffer the consequences: This phrase gives the result of the failure of “simple” people to avoid trouble. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffer the consequences is literally “they are punished.”

In some contexts the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffer the consequences refers specifically to paying a fine. Here it probably has a more general meaning. It may refer to being punished (legally). It may also refer to suffering the natural consequences of getting into trouble.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and are punished for it (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
and suffers the consequences (New Living Translation (2004))

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