One verse. Three ways to understand.
Like a thornbush in the hand of a drunk person, so is a wise saying in the mouth of a fool.
This verse is saying that when foolish people try to share wisdom, they often misuse it and can cause harm, just like a drunk person handling something sharp and dangerous.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishAs a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, proverbs were a collection of wise sayings attributed mainly to King Solomon, designed to impart practical wisdom and moral guidance for everyday life. This verse uses the metaphor of a thorn sticking into the hand of a drunkard to show how a profound teaching, like a parable, becomes useless or even painful when entrusted to a fool who lacks understanding or discernment. Such imagery drew from common experiences in agrarian and social settings to emphasize the consequences of mishandling wisdom.