Parallel Verses
King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
New American Standard Bible
That he not be
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].
Bible in Basic English
Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.
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 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
Cross References
Proverbs 28:11
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Matthew 16:1-4
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
1 Kings 22:24-28
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Isaiah 5:21
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Jeremiah 36:17-18
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
Matthew 15:1-3
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 21:23-27
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
Matthew 22:15-32
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Luke 12:13-21
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
Luke 13:23-30
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
John 8:7
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 9:26-33
Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Titus 1:13
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;