Parallel Verses

International Standard Version

Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.

New American Standard Bible

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

King James Version

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Holman Bible

Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.


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A Conservative Version

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.

American Standard Version

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

Amplified


Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.

Bible in Basic English

Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.

Darby Translation

Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, and he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

Julia Smith Translation

Also the foolish one being silent shall be thought wise: and he shutting his lips, understanding.

King James 2000

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Lexham Expanded Bible

Even a fool who keeps silent {shall be considered wise}; he who closes his lips [is] intelligent.

Modern King James verseion

Even a fool, when he is silent, is counted wise, and he who shuts his lips is counted as a man of understanding.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Yea, a very fool, when he holdeth his tongue, is counted wise; and to have understanding, when he shutteth his lips.

NET Bible

Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

New Heart English Bible

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

The Emphasized Bible

Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, - He that closeth his lips, is thought to have understanding.

Webster

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

World English Bible

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

Youngs Literal Translation

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
אויל 
'eviyl 
Usage: 26

חרשׁ 
Charash 
Usage: 74

חכם 
Chakam 
Usage: 137

and he that shutteth
אטם 
'atam 
Usage: 8

שׂפת שׂפה 
Saphah 
Usage: 176

Context Readings

How Fools Live

27 Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable; anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding. 28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.

Cross References

Job 13:5

I wish you'd all just shut up. Then at least you would appear to be wise.

Proverbs 15:2

The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishness.

Ecclesiastes 5:3

Too many worries lead to nightmares, and a fool is known from talking too much.

Ecclesiastes 10:3

Furthermore, the way a fool lives shows he has no sense; he proclaims to everyone that he's a fool.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

The fool overflows with words, and no one can predict what will happen. As to what will happen after him, who can explain it?

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain