Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. New Living Translation A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one. English Standard Version A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. Berean Study Bible A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. King James Bible A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. New King James Version A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. New American Standard Bible A wise person’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish person’s heart directs him toward the left. NASB 1995 A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left. NASB 1977 A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left. Amplified Bible A wise man’s heart turns him toward the right [which is the way of blessing], but a fool’s heart turns him toward the left [which is the way of condemnation]. Christian Standard Bible A wise person’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. Holman Christian Standard Bible A wise man’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. American Standard Version A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Aramaic Bible in Plain English The heart of the wise is at his right hand and the heart of a fool at his left Brenton Septuagint Translation A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Contemporary English Version Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong. Douay-Rheims Bible The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a fool is in his left hand. English Revised Version A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Good News Translation It is natural for the wise to do the right thing and for fools to do the wrong thing. GOD'S WORD® Translation A wise person's heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way. International Standard Version A wise man's heart tends toward his right, but a fool's heart tends toward his left. JPS Tanakh 1917 A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; But a fool's understanding at his left. Literal Standard Version The heart of the wise [is] at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left. NET Bible A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. New Heart English Bible A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left. World English Bible A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left. Young's Literal Translation The heart of the wise is at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left. Additional Translations ... Context Wisdom and Folly1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. 3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.… Cross References Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 25:33 He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Colossians 3:1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Treasury of Scripture A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. wise Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Luke 14:28-32 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? … but Ecclesiastes 10:10,14 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct… Proverbs 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? Luke 12:18-20 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods…
(2) At his right hand.--Perhaps better, towards his right hand, i.e., leads him to go to the right hand. The thought is the same as Ecclesiastes 2:13, namely, that though the actual results of wisdom are often disappointing, the superiority of wisdom over folly is undeniable.Verses 2, 3. - A tetrastich contrasting wisdom and folly. Verse 2. - A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. There is here no reference to the classical use of right and left, as ominous of success and disaster, which is never found in the Old Testament. The right hand is the place of honor, the left of inferiority, as a matter of fact, not of superstition and luck. The symbolism is intimated in Christ's account of the judgment (Matthew 25:31, etc.). But in the present passage we should best paraphrase - The wise man's heart, his understanding and sentiments, lead him to what is right and proper and straightforward; the fool's heart leads him astray, in the wrong direction. The former is active and skilful, the latter is slow and awkward. One, we may say, has no left hand, the other has no right. To be at the right hand is to be ready to help and guard. "The Lord is at thy right band," to protect thee, says the psalmist (Psalm 110:5). The wise man's mind shows him how to escape dangers and direct his course safely; the fool's mind helps him not to any good purpose, causes him to err and miss his best object. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew A wise man’sחָכָם֙ (ḥā·ḵām) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise heart לֵ֤ב (lêḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre inclines to the right, לִֽימִינ֔וֹ (lî·mî·nōw) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south but the heart וְלֵ֥ב (wə·lêḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre of a fool כְּסִ֖יל (kə·sîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool to the left. לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ (liś·mō·lōw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand Jump to Previous Direction Directs Fool Foolish Fool's Goes Hand Heart Inclines Right Understanding Wise WrongJump to Next Direction Directs Fool Foolish Fool's Goes Hand Heart Inclines Right Understanding Wise WrongLinks Ecclesiastes 10:2 NIVEcclesiastes 10:2 NLT Ecclesiastes 10:2 ESV Ecclesiastes 10:2 NASB Ecclesiastes 10:2 KJV Ecclesiastes 10:2 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 10:2 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 10:2 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 10:2 French Bible Ecclesiastes 10:2 Clyx Quotations OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
   
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