Parallel Verses

Holman Bible

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

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.

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 backs of fools.
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.



Cross References

Judges 12:1-6

The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you in it!”

2 Samuel 19:41-43

Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men?”

1 Kings 12:14

and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “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 barbed whips.”

1 Kings 12:16

When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered him:

What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
Israel, return to your tents;
David, now look after your own house!


So Israel went to their tents,

2 Kings 14:8-10

Amaziah then sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us meet face to face.”

Proverbs 17:14

To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.

Proverbs 26:5

Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

Isaiah 36:21

But they kept silent; they didn’t say anything, for the king’s command was, “Don’t answer him.”

1 Peter 2:21-23

For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example,
so that you should follow in His steps.

1 Peter 3:9

not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

Jude 1:9

Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses’ body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

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