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 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks violence.

Cross References

Proverbs 28:11

A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding, sees right through him.

Matthew 16:1-4

The Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind as others. Do not think lofty things but be led along by lowly things. Do not be wise in your own conceit (self-love) (vanity) (estimation).

1 Kings 22:24-28

The prophet Zedekiah went to Micaiah and slapped his face. He asked: Since when did Jehovah's spirit leave me and speak to you?

Proverbs 3:7

Do not think you are wise enough. Respect Jehovah and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 26:4

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him.

Proverbs 26:12

See a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Isaiah 5:21

You are doomed! You think you are wise. You think you are so very clever.

Jeremiah 36:17-18

They asked Baruch: Please tell us how you wrote all this. Did Jeremiah dictate it to you?

Matthew 15:1-3

Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus.

Matthew 21:23-27

When he went into the Temple, the chief priests and those in authority over the people came to him while he was teaching. They asked: By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?

Matthew 22:15-32

The Pharisees took counsel how they might trap him in his talk.

Luke 12:13-21

A member of the crowd said: Teacher, help my brother divide the inheritance with me.

Luke 13:23-30

Someone asked him, Will only a few people be saved? Jesus answered them:

John 9:26-33

They asked: What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?

Romans 11:25

I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits (estimation). Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in.

Titus 1:13

This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

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