Parallel Verses
Lexham Expanded Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
New American Standard Bible
That he not be
King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Holman Bible
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.
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
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 26:5
Verse Info
Context Readings
All About Fools
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you become like him--even you. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or else he will be wise in his own eyes. 6 [Like] cutting off feet [or] drinking violence, so [is] he who sends messages in the hand of a fool.
Cross References
Proverbs 28:11
A man of wealth [is] wise in his own eyes, but the intelligent poor sees through him.
Matthew 16:1-4
And [when] the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test [him], they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
Romans 12:16
Think the same [thing] toward one another; {do not think arrogantly}, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise {in your own sight}.
1 Kings 22:24-28
Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah came near and slapped Micaiah on the cheek and said, "When did the Spirit of Yahweh pass from me to speak with you?"
Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
Proverbs 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you become like him--even you.
Proverbs 26:12
[Do] you see a man wise in his own eyes? [There is more] hope for a fool than for him.
Isaiah 5:21
Ah! [Those who are] wise in their own eyes and have understanding {in their view}!
Jeremiah 36:17-18
Then they asked Baruch, {saying}, "Tell us please, how did you write all these words, from his mouth?"
Matthew 15:1-3
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 21:23-27
And [after] he arrived at the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him [while he] was teaching, saying, "By what authority are you doing these [things]? And who gave you this authority?"
Matthew 22:15-32
Then the Pharisees went {and consulted} so that they could entrap him with a statement.
Luke 12:13-21
Now someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!"
Luke 13:23-30
And someone said to him, "Lord, {are there only} a few who are saved?" And he said to them,
John 8:7
And when they persisted in asking him, straightening up he said to them, "The [one] of you without sin, let him throw the first stone at her!"
John 9:26-33
So they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
Romans 11:25
For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you will not be wise {in your own sight}, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
Titus 1:13
This testimony is true, for which reason reprove them severely, in order that they may be sound in the faith,