Proverbs 17:16 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

¹⁶ Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom when they have no mind to learn?

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁶ Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, Seeing he hath no heart to it?

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁶ Of what use is money in the hand of a [self-confident] fool to buy skillful and godly Wisdom–when he has no understanding or heart for it?

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁶ Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

Common English Bible

¹⁶ Why should a fool have money to pay for wisdom? He has no mind.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁶ What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁶ What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

Proverbs 17:16 Cross References

Proverbs 14:6

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for one who understands.

Proverbs 18:15

An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 23:23

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Proverbs 24:7

Wisdom is too high for fools; in the gate they do not open their mouths.

Hosea 4:11

prostitution. Wine and new wine take away the understanding.

John 3:20

For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.

Acts 13:46

Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the gentiles.

2 Corinthians 6:1

As we work together with him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.

Deuteronomy 5:29

If only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever!