Parallel Verses
New Heart English Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, 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 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.
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 is 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 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 gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house on you with fire."
2 Samuel 19:41-43
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 brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?"
1 Kings 12:14
and 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 chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
1 Kings 12:16
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, "What portion have we in David? Neither do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel. Now see to your own house, David." So Israel departed 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 breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling 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 remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king's commandment was, "Do not answer him."
1 Peter 2:21-23
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
1 Peter 3:9
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; because to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
Jude 1:9
But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "May the Lord rebuke you."