Parallel Verses
Lexham Expanded Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you become like him--even you.
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.
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.
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 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 lest you become like him--even you. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
Cross References
Judges 12:1-6
The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed [over] to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross [over] and make war against the {Ammonites}, and why did you not call us to go with you? We will burn down your house over you with fire."
2 Samuel 19:41-43
Suddenly, all the men of Israel [were] coming to the king. They said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, with all the men of David?"
1 Kings 12:14
He spoke to them according to the advice of the youngsters, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add onto your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions."
1 Kings 12:16
When all of Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, "{What share do we have in David}? [There is] no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now look to your house, David!" Then Israel went to their tents.
2 Kings 14:8-10
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come let us meet {face-to-face}."
Proverbs 17:14
[Like] the release of water [is] the beginning of strife; before it breaks out, stop the quarrel.
Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
Isaiah 36:21
But they were silent and did not answer him a word, for the command of the king was, "You must not answer him."
1 Peter 2:21-23
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps,
1 Peter 3:9
not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the other hand blessing [others], because for this [reason] you were called, so that you could inherit a blessing.
Jude 1:9
But Michael the archangel, when he argued with the devil, disputing concerning the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"