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Proverbs 17:16-18
New International Version
Proverbs 17:16-18
New International Version
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?(A)
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(B)
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.(C)
Proverbs 17:16-18
King James Version
Proverbs 17:16-18
King James Version
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.
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Proverbs 17:16-18
New King James Version
Proverbs 17:16-18
New King James Version
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?
17 (A)A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 (B)A man devoid of [a]understanding [b]shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes [c]surety for his friend.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit. strikes the hands
- Proverbs 17:18 guaranty or collateral
Proverbs 17:16-18
English Standard Version
Proverbs 17:16-18
English Standard Version
16 Why should a fool have money in his hand (A)to buy wisdom
when he has no sense?
17 (B)A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge
and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.