Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise in his own eyes.

King James Version

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Holman Bible

Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

International Standard Version

Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.

A Conservative Version

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

American Standard Version

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Amplified


Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,
Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].

Bible in Basic English

Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.

Darby Translation

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Julia Smith Translation

Answer the foolish according to his folly lest he shall be wise in his own eyes.

King James 2000

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Lexham Expanded Bible

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

Modern King James verseion

Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

but make the fool an answer to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

NET Bible

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.

New Heart English Bible

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

The Emphasized Bible

Answer a dullard according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

Webster

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

World English Bible

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Youngs Literal Translation

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
ענה 
`anah 
Usage: 329

a fool
כּסיל 
K@ciyl 
Usage: 70

אוּלת 
'ivveleth 
Usage: 25

lest he be wise
חכם 
Chakam 
Usage: 137

Context Readings

All About Fools

4 Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.

Cross References

Proverbs 28:11

The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but the poor that has understanding is wiser than he.

Matthew 16:1-4

The Pharisees and the Sadducees came to tempt him; they asked him to show them a sign from the heaven.

Romans 12:16

Be unanimous among yourselves, not high minded, but accommodating the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

1 Kings 22:24-28

Then Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, went near and smote Micaiah on the cheek and said, Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak unto thee?

Proverbs 3:7

Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

Proverbs 26:4

Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.

Proverbs 26:12

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Isaiah 5:21

Woe unto those that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!

Jeremiah 36:17-18

And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?

Matthew 15:1-3

Then certain scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem came unto Jesus, saying,

Matthew 21:23-27

And when he was come into the temple, the princes of the priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Matthew 22:15-32

Then the Pharisees left and took counsel how they might entangle him in his word.

Luke 12:13-21

And one of the crowd said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

Luke 13:23-30

Then someone said unto him, Lord, are there few that are saved? And he said unto them,

John 8:7

So when they continued asking him, he lifted himself up and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.

John 9:26-33

Then said they to him again, What did he do to thee? How did he open thine eyes?

Romans 11:25

For I would not, brethren, that ye ignore this mystery, that ye not be arrogant regarding yourselves: that blindness in part has happened in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles are come in.

Titus 1:13

This witness is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

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Word Concordance

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

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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

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Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain