Parallel Verses
NET Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
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.
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.
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 yourself also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation. 6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.
Cross References
Proverbs 28:11
A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.
Matthew 16:1-4
Now when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
1 Kings 22:24-28
Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, "Which way did the Lord's spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?"
Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
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
Those who think they are wise are as good as dead, those who think they possess understanding.
Jeremiah 36:17-18
Then they asked Baruch, "How did you come to write all these words? Do they actually come from Jeremiah's mouth?"
Matthew 15:1-3
Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said,
Matthew 21:23-27
Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"
Matthew 22:15-32
Then the Pharisees went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words.
Luke 12:13-21
Then someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
Luke 13:23-30
Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" So he said to them,
John 8:7
When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, "Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her."
John 9:26-33
Then they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he cause you to see?"
Romans 11:25
For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
Titus 1:13
Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith