Parallel Verses

International Standard Version

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

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.

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.

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 The wicked man takes a bribe in secret in order to pervert the course of justice. 24 A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective, but a fool looks only to earthly goals. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:14

The wise use their eyes, but the fool walks in darkness. I also perceived that the same outcome affects them all.

Proverbs 14:6

A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but learning comes easily to someone who understands.

Proverbs 15:14

A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

Psalm 119:37

Turn my eyes away from gazing at worthless things, and revive me by your ways.

Proverbs 23:5

When you fix your gaze on it, it's gone, for it sprouts wings for itself and flies to the sky like an eagle.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind.

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Who is really wise? Who knows how to interpret this saying: "A person's wisdom improves his appearance, softening a harsh countenance."

John 7:17

If anyone wants to do his will, he'll know whether this teaching is from God or whether I'm speaking on my own.

1 John 2:16

For everything that is in the world the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance is not from the Father but is from 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