New English Translation
Proverbs 17:16
16Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom?
Proverbs 17:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
- New International Version (NIV)Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
Context of Proverbs 17:16
14Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out! 15The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent – both of them are an abomination to the Lord. Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom? 17A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity. 18The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:16 word by word
לָמָּה־זֶּ֣ה מְחִ֣יר בְּיַד־כְּסִ֑יל לִקְנ֖וֹת חָכְמָ֣ה וְלֶב־אָֽיִן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:16
- Proverbs 1:22“How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:4“To you, O people, I call out, and my voice calls to all mankind.
- Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” she says to those who lack understanding.
- Isaiah 55:1“Hey, all who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come! Buy and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
- Acts 13:46Both Paul and Barnabas replied courageously, “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
- Proverbs 14:6The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person.
- Proverbs 18:15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.
- Deuteronomy 5:29If only it would really be their desire to fear me and obey all my commandments in the future, so that it may go well with them and their descendants forever.
- Psalms 81:11But my people did not obey me; Israel did not submit to me.
- Hosea 4:11Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people.
- John 3:20For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.
- Acts 28:26when he said, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16More literally: Why is there a price in the hand of a fool? Is it to get wisdom when he has no heart for it? No money will avail without the understanding heart.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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