Parallel Verses
Modern King James verseion
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be 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.
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 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 ass, and a rod for the fool's back. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.
Cross References
Judges 12:1-6
And the men of Ephraim were called together and went northward, and said to Jephthah, Why did you go over to fight against the sons of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house upon you with fire.
2 Samuel 19:41-43
And, behold, 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 have brought the king and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
1 Kings 12:14
and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke. My father whipped you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
1 Kings 12:16
And all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, and the people answered the king, saying, What part do we have in David? Yea, there is no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now see to your house, O David! And Israel went to its 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; therefore leave off fighting, before it breaks out.
Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.
Isaiah 36:21
But they were silent and did not answer him a word, for the king's command, saying, Do not answer him.
1 Peter 2:21-23
For you were not called to this? For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps,
1 Peter 3:9
Never give back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, giving blessing, knowing that you are called to this so that you might inherit blessing.
Jude 1:9
But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the Devil, he argued about the body of Moses, he dared not bring a judgment of blasphemy, but said, Let the Lord rebuke you!