Proverbs 17:16 - Revised Standard Version (RSV-CI)

¹⁶ Why should a fool have a price in his hand to buy wisdom, when he has no mind?

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 a man of understanding.

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 a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

Hosea 4:11

Wine and new wine take away the understanding.

John 3:20

For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Acts 13:46

And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

2 Corinthians 6:1

Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.

Deuteronomy 5:29

Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children for ever!