Proverbs 17:16–18

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,

when they are not able to understand it?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge

and puts up security for a neighbor.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool

To get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17 A friend loveth at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands,

And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,

since he has no heart for learning.

17 A friend is always loyal,

and a brother is born to help in time of need.

18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt

or put up security for a friend.

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,

Since he has no heart for it?

17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,

And becomes surety for his friend.

16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom,

because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.

17 A friend loves you all the time,

and a brother helps in time of trouble.

18 It is not wise to promise

to pay what your neighbor owes.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

Seeing he hath no understanding?

17 A friend loveth at all times;

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands,

And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom 

when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? 

17 A friend always loves, 

and a brother is born to share trouble. 

18 A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. 

He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend. 

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand

with no intention of buying wisdom?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a difficult time.

18 One without sense enters an agreement

and puts up security for his friend.

16 Why should fools have a price in hand

to buy wisdom when they have no mind to learn?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

18 It is senseless to give a pledge,

to become surety for a neighbor.

16 Why is this? A price in the hand of a fool,

in order to buy wisdom where there is no sense.

17 The friend loves at all times,

but a brother is born for adversity.

18 A person who lacks sense pledges;

he becomes security before his neighbor.

16 What good is money in the hands of a foolish person?

He doesn’t want to become wise.

17 A friend loves at all times.

He is there to help when trouble comes.

18 A man who has little sense agrees to pay what other people owe.

It isn’t wise to put up money for others.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

When he has no sense?

17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking in sense pledges

And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.