Parallel Verses

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.

Holman Bible

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
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.

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 fool's back. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own pride.

Cross References

Judges 12:1-6

The men of Ephraim were ready for battle. They crossed the Jordan River to Zaphon and said to Jephthah: Why did you cross the border to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We are going to burn the house down over your head!

2 Samuel 19:41-43

All the people of Israel came to the king. They asked: Why did our brothers, the people of Judah, kidnap you and bring you and your family across the Jordan River?

1 Kings 12:14

He gave them the answer suggested by the young advisors. He said: My father made your yoke hard, but I will make it harder! My father gave you punishment with whips, but I will give it with snakes.

1 Kings 12:16

When all Israel realized that the king would not respond to their request, the people in answer said to the king: What share do we have in David? What is our heritage in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel; now see to your people, David. So Israel went away to their tents.

2 Kings 14:8-10

Then Amaziah sent representatives to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying: Come let us have a meeting face to face.

Proverbs 17:14

Starting a quarrel is like releasing water [from a floodgate]. Therefore stop contention before it begins.

Proverbs 26:5

Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own pride.

Isaiah 36:21

They were silent and did not say anything to him because the king commanded them not to answer him.

1 Peter 2:21-23

For this you were called because Christ also suffered for you. He left you an example (a copy for imitation) (a model) that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil for evil, or insult for insult. Do just the opposite. For you were called to inherit a blessing.

Jude 1:9

Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil disputed about the body of Moses. He did not speak evil judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: Jehovah rebukes you. (Zechariah 3:2)

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