Proverbs 17:16 — Compare Translations
28 translations compared side by side
English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
Why [is] this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
English ASV
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
English Amplified
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?
English Amplified Classic Bible 1987
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?
English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025
Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible
Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
English Darby 1890 : Public Domain
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
English EASY 2024
Money does not help a foolish person, because he does not want to become wise.
English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
Money is wasted on fools. They cannot buy wisdom when they have no sense.
English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
English GNT (Good News Translation)
It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense.
English God's Word - GW 1995
Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn't have a mind to grasp anything?
English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website
Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
English KJV 1611
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
English LSB
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, When he has no heart of wisdom?
English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)
Why is money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom since he has no heart for it?
English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website
Of what use in the fool's hand are the means to buy wisdom, since he has no mind for it?
English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom?
English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
What good is money in the hands of a foolish person? He doesn't want to become wise.
English NIV
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
English NKJ 1982
Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
English NLT
It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.
English NRSV 1989 - Only for website
Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn?
English Passion Translation Bible 2020
Why pay tuition to educate a fool? For he has no intention of acquiring true wisdom.
English RSV (Revised Standard Version)
Why should a fool have a price in his hand to buy wisdom, when he has no mind?
English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a rebel who has no heart for truth.
English Tyndale 1537
What helpeth it to give a fool money in his hand, where as he hath no mind to buy wisdom?