Proverbs 17:24
New International Version
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

New Living Translation
Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

English Standard Version
The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible
Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

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

New King James Version
Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

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

NASB 1995
Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

NASB 1977
Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Wisdom is in the presence of the one who understands, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Amplified Bible
[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.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool’s eyes roam to 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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The face of an intelligent one observes wisdom, and the eyes of a fool are in the depths of the Earth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.

Contemporary English Version
Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.

English Revised Version
Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding: but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool [are looking around]all over the world.

Good News Translation
An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.

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

JPS Tanakh 1917
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Literal Standard Version
The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, | And the eyes of a fool—at the end of the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

New American Bible
On the countenance of a discerning person is wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

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 Revised Standard Version
The discerning person looks to wisdom, but the eyes of a fool 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 everywhere.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Young's Literal Translation
The face of the intelligent is to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. 24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:14
The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.


Treasury of Scripture

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

before

Proverbs 14:6
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Ecclesiastes 2:14
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

the eyes

Proverbs 23:5
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Psalm 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

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Proverbs 17
1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked














(24) Wisdom is before him that hath understanding--i.e., he can easily find her.

But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.--He is looking for her everywhere, while all the time she lies straight before him. (For the thought, comp. Deuteronomy 30:11-14.)

Verse 24. - Wisdom is before [the face of] him that hath understanding. The idea is that the intelligent man directs his look towards Wisdom, and therefore she beams upon him with all her light; as the Vulgate puts it, "In the face of the prudent wisdom shines." He has one object to which he directs all his attention (Proverbs 15:14). The Septuagint rendering is not so satisfactory: "The countenance of a prudent man is wise;" he shows in his look and bearing the wisdom that guides him. Thus Ecclesiastes 8:1, "A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed." The eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A fool has no one definite object in view; he pursues a hundred different things, as they happen to come in his way, but misses the most important quest of all and fritters away the powers which might have aided him to obtain wisdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Wisdom
חָכְמָ֑ה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

is the focus
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the discerning,
מֵבִ֣ין (mê·ḇîn)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

but the eyes
וְעֵינֵ֥י (wə·‘ê·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of a fool
כְ֝סִ֗יל (ḵə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

wander to the ends
בִּקְצֵה־ (biq·ṣêh-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

of the earth.
אָֽרֶץ׃ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is before the face of one (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 17:23
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