Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Give not the fool an answer after his foolishness, lest thou become like unto 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 King James verseion
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like 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 Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the Ass a bridle, and a rod to the fool's back. 4 Give not the fool an answer after his foolishness, lest thou become like unto him; 5 but make the fool an answer to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Cross References
Judges 12:1-6
And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, "Wherefore wentest thou to fight with the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? We will therefore burn thine house upon thee with fire."
2 Samuel 19:41-43
Wherefore all the men of Israel came to the king and said unto him, "Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household and all David's men with him over Jordan?"
1 Kings 12:14
and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke grievous, but I will make it grievouser. For where my father chastised you with whips, I will chastise you with scorpions."
1 Kings 12:16
And when all Israel saw that the king regarded them not, the people answered the king again saying, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents therefore Israel, and now see to thine own house David." And so Israel departed unto their tents.
2 Kings 14:8-10
After that, Amaziah sent messengers to Joash the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us see each other."
Proverbs 17:14
He that soweth discord and strife, is like one that diggeth up a water brook; but an open enemy is like the water that breaketh out and runneth abroad.
Proverbs 26:5
but make the fool an answer to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Isaiah 36:21
Unto this Hezekiah's messengers held their tongues, and answered not one word: for the king had charged them that they should give him none answer.
1 Peter 2:21-23
For hereunto verily were ye called, for Christ also suffered for us: leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps,
1 Peter 3:9
not rendering evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrariwise, bless: remembering that ye are thereunto called, even that ye should be heirs of blessing.
Jude 1:9
Yet Michael the archangel, when he strove against the devil, and disputed the body of Moses, durst not give railing sentence, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."