Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
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

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.

International Standard Version

Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.

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

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
ענה 
`anah 
Usage: 329

not a fool
כּסיל 
K@ciyl 
Usage: 70

אוּלת 
'ivveleth 
Usage: 25

lest thou also be like
שׁוה 
Shavah 
Usage: 21

References

Hastings

Context Readings

All About Fools

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Cross References

Judges 12:1-6

The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire."

2 Samuel 19:41-43

Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?"

1 Kings 12:14

he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions."

1 Kings 12:16

And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, "What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David." So Israel went to their tents.

2 Kings 14:8-10

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face."

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Proverbs 26:5

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Isaiah 36:21

But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's command was, "Do not answer him."

1 Peter 2:21-23

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Jude 1:9

But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

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Word Concordance

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

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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