Parallel Verses

A Conservative Version

Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

New American Standard Bible

Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

King James Version

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Holman Bible

Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.

International Standard Version

A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective, but a fool looks only to earthly goals.

American Standard Version

Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Amplified


[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.

Bible in Basic English

Wisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.

Darby Translation

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Julia Smith Translation

Wisdom, is with the face of him understanding, and the eyes of the foolish one are in the ends of the earth.

King James 2000

Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Lexham Expanded Bible

He who understands sets [his] face [toward] wisdom, but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.

Modern King James verseion

Wisdom is before him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Wisdom shineth in the face of him that hath understanding; but the eyes of fools wander throughout all lands.

NET Bible

Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.

New Heart English Bible

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

The Emphasized Bible

Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.

Webster

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

World English Bible

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

Youngs Literal Translation

The face of the intelligent is to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
חכמה 
Chokmah 
Usage: 149

פּנים 
Paniym 
Usage: 2119

but the eyes
עין 
`ayin 
Usage: 372

of a fool
כּסיל 
K@ciyl 
Usage: 70

are in the ends
קצה קצה 
Qatseh 
Usage: 97

Context Readings

Proverbs Of Solomon

23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice. 24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:14

The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

Proverbs 14:6

A scoffer seeks wisdom, and [finds it] not, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.

Proverbs 15:14

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Psalm 119:37

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, and enliven me in thy ways.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Who is as the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

John 7:17

If any man wants to do his will, he will know about the doctrine, whether it is from God, or I speak from myself.

1 John 2:16

Because everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the arrogance of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain