Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.
New American Standard Bible
Or you will also be like him.
King James Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Holman Bible
or you’ll be like him yourself.
A Conservative Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
American Standard Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
Amplified
Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,
Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.
Bible in Basic English
Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.
Darby Translation
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Julia Smith Translation
Thou shalt not answer the foolish according to his folly lest thou shalt be like to him.
King James 2000
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you become like him--even you.
Modern King James verseion
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Give not the fool an answer after his foolishness, lest thou become like unto him;
NET Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
New Heart English Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
The Emphasized Bible
Do not answer a dullard, according to his folly, lest, even thou thyself, become like him;
Webster
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.
World English Bible
Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Youngs Literal Translation
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou.
Interlinear
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 26:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
All About Fools
3 A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools. 4 Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.
Cross References
Judges 12:1-6
A little while later, the army of Ephraim was mustered, and they crossed to Zaphon. They confronted Jephthah and asked, "Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to accompany you? We're going to burn your house down around you!"
2 Samuel 19:41-43
Not long afterward, all the men of Israel started coming to the king, complaining to him, "Why did our relatives in Judah's army sneak you away, taking the king and his household over the Jordan River, along with David's army?"
1 Kings 12:14
Instead, Rehoboam spoke to them along the lines of what the younger men suggested. He told them, "My father burdened you heavily, but I will add to that burden. If my father disciplined you with whips, I'm going to discipline you with scorpions!"
1 Kings 12:16
When all of Israel saw that the king wasn't listening to them, the people responded to the king's message, "What's the point in following David? We have no inheritance in the descendants of Jesse. Let's go home, Israel! David, take care of your own household!' So Israel left for home.
2 Kings 14:8-10
Later, Amaziah sent couriers to Jehoahaz's son Jehoash, grandson of King Jehu of Israel, challenging him, "Come on! Let's fight face to face!"
Proverbs 17:14
Starting a quarrel is like spilling water so drop the dispute before it escalates.
Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.
Isaiah 36:21
But the people remained silent and didn't respond to him with so much as a single word, because the king had commanded, "Don't answer him."
1 Peter 2:21-23
This is, in fact, what you were called to do, because: The Messiah also suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps.
1 Peter 3:9
Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
Jude 1:9
Even the archangel Michael, when he argued with the Devil and fought over the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him. Instead, he said, "May the Lord rebuke you!"