Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.
New American Standard Bible
That he not be
King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Holman Bible
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
International Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.
A Conservative Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
American Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Amplified
Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,
Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].
Darby Translation
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Julia Smith Translation
Answer the foolish according to his folly lest he shall be wise in his own eyes.
King James 2000
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
Modern King James verseion
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
but make the fool an answer to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
NET Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
New Heart English Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
The Emphasized Bible
Answer a dullard according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
Webster
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
World English Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Youngs Literal Translation
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Interlinear
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 26:5
Verse Info
Context Readings
All About Fools
4 Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him. 5 Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself. 6 He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.
Cross References
Proverbs 28:11
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
Matthew 16:1-4
And the Pharisees and Sadducees came and, testing him, made a request to him to give them a sign from heaven.
Romans 12:16
Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.
1 Kings 22:24-28
Then Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, came near and gave Micaiah a blow on the side of the face, saying, Where is the spirit of the Lord whose word is in you?
Proverbs 3:7
Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:
Proverbs 26:4
Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.
Proverbs 26:12
Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him.
Isaiah 5:21
Cursed are those who seem wise to themselves, and who take pride in their knowledge!
Jeremiah 36:17-18
And questioning Baruch, they said, Say now, how did you put all these words down in writing from his mouth?
Matthew 15:1-3
Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying,
Matthew 21:23-27
And when he had come into the Temple, the chief priests and those in authority over the people came to him while he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority?
Matthew 22:15-32
Then the Pharisees went and had a meeting to see how they might make use of his words to take him.
Luke 12:13-21
And one of the people said to him, Master, give an order to my brother to make division of the heritage with me.
Luke 13:23-30
And someone said to him, Lord, will only a small number have salvation? And he said to them,
John 8:7
But when they went on with their questions, he got up and said to them, Let him among you who is without sin be the first to send a stone at her.
John 9:26-33
Then they said to him, What did he do to you? how did he give you the use of your eyes?
Romans 11:25
For it is my desire, brothers, that this secret may be clear to you, so that you may not have pride in your knowledge, that Israel has been made hard in part, till all the Gentiles have come in;
Titus 1:13
This witness is true. So say sharp words to them so that they may come to the right faith,