“I have seen among the simple”: “Simple” translates the same word as in 1.4, where it refers to immature or inexperienced young people.

“I have perceived among the youths”: “Youths” is literally “sons,” which means “young men.”

“A young man without sense”: “Without sense” is literally “lacking heart” as in 6.32. See there for comments.

The repetitions in this verse are such that Contemporary English Version reduces the whole verse to “some foolish young men.” Note that Good News Translation keeps a longer form that moves the focus of attention from the many to the individual who will be followed in the narrative. This change of focus is expressed another way in the translation “I saw young men going along the road. They did not have good sense. But one of them was very stupid. (8) This young man. . ..”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .