Proverbs 16:22 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.

English ASV

Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly.

English Amplified

Understanding is a wellspring of life to those who have it, but to give instruction to fools is folly.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Understanding is a wellspring of life to those who have it, but to give instruction to fools is folly.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.

English EASY 2024

Wisdom is like a spring of fresh water which gives life to those who have it. But the silly things that fools do brings them punishment.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

Good sense is a spring of fresh water to those who have it, but fools can offer only foolishness.

Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Wisdom is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but folly is the instruction of fools.

English KJV 1611

Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

English LSB

Insight is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of ignorant fools is folly.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Good sense is a fountain of life to its possessor, but folly brings chastisement on fools.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it. But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.

English NIV

Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.

English NKJ 1982

Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

English NLT

Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

Wisdom is a deep well of understanding opened up within you as a fountain of life for others, but it’s senseless to try to instruct a fool.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the chastisement of fools.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

Wisdom is a fountain of life to those possessing it, but a fool's burden is his folly.

English Tyndale 1537

Understanding is a well of life unto him that hath it, as for the chastening of fools, it is but foolishness.

Proverbs 16:22 — Compare Translations