Proverbs 21:20 bbe — There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.

Bible in Basic English

"There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man."

— Proverbs 21:20, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 21:20 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Proverbs 21 — Context

17

The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.

18

The evil-doer will be given as a price for the life of the good man, and the worker of deceit in the place of the upright.

19

It is better to be living in a waste land, than with a bitter-tongued and angry woman.

20

There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.

21

He who goes after righteousness and mercy will get life, righteousness, and honour.

22

A wise man goes up into the town of the strong ones, and overcomes its strength in which they put their faith.

23

He who keeps watch over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 21:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 21:20 say?
Proverbs 21:20 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.”
Where is Proverbs 21:20 in the Bible?
Proverbs 21:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 21, verse 20.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 21:20.
What translation should I read Proverbs 21:20 in?
Proverbs 21:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 21:20?
Proverbs 21:20 reads (BBE): “There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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