Parallel Verses
Youngs Literal Translation
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou.
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.
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.
Interlinear
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 26:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
All About Fools
3 A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Cross References
Judges 12:1-6
And the men of Ephraim are called together, and pass over northward, and say to Jephthah, 'Wherefore has thou passed over to fight against the Bene-Ammon, and on us hast not called to go with thee? thy house we burn over thee with fire.'
2 Samuel 19:41-43
And, lo, all the men of Israel are coming unto the king, and they say unto the king, 'Wherefore have they stolen thee -- our brethren, the men of Judah?' (and they bring the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him).
1 Kings 12:14
and speaketh unto them, according to the counsel of the lads, saying, 'My father made your yoke heavy, and I add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, and I -- I chastise you with scorpions;'
1 Kings 12:16
And all Israel see that the king hath not hearkened unto them, and the people send the king back word, saying, 'What portion have we in David? yea, there is no inheritance in the son of Jesse; to thy tents, O Israel; now see thy house, O David!' and Israel goeth to its tents.
2 Kings 14:8-10
then hath Amaziah sent messengers unto Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, 'Come, we look one another in the face.'
Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Isaiah 36:21
And they keep silent, and have not answered him a word, for a command of the king is, saying, 'Do not answer him.'
1 Peter 2:21-23
for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps,
1 Peter 3:9
not giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit;
Jude 1:9
yet Michael, the chief messenger, when, with the devil contending, he was disputing about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring up an evil-speaking judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke thee!'