Proverbs 26:5
New International Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

New Living Translation
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

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

Berean Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

NASB 1995
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

NASB 1977
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

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

Amplified Bible
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].

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

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

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

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But speak with a fool according to your wisdom lest he think in his soul that he is wise.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

Contemporary English Version
But if you answer any fools, show how foolish they are, so they won't feel smart.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.

Good News Translation
Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as smart as he thinks.

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

JPS Tanakh 1917
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Literal Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, | Lest he is wise in his own eyes.

Majority Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

New American Bible
Answer fools according to their folly, lest they become wise in their own eyes.

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

New Revised Standard Version
Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Young's Literal Translation
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. 6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.…

Cross References
Matthew 16:1
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 21:24
"I will also ask you one question," Jesus replied, "and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 26:6
Like cutting off one's own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 28:11
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.


Treasury of Scripture

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

fool

1 Kings 22:24-28
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? …

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 came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, …

lest

Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 28:11
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

conceit

Isaiah 5:21
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Jump to Previous
Conceit Deserves Eyes Folly Fool Foolish Seem Wise
Jump to Next
Conceit Deserves Eyes Folly Fool Foolish Seem Wise
Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














(5) Answer a fool according to his folly.--As his folly deserves, sharply and decisively, and in language suited to his comprehension.

Verse 5. - Answer a fool according to his folly. This maxim at first sight seems absolutely antagonistic to the purport of the preceding verse; but it is not so really. The words, "according to his folly," in this verse mean, as his folly deserves, in so plain a way as is expose it, and shame him, and bring him to a better mind. Lest he be wise in his own conceit; thinking, it may be, that he has said something worth hearing, or put you to silence by his superior intelligence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Answer
עֲנֵ֣ה (‘ă·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

a fool
כְ֭סִיל (ḵə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

according to his folly,
כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ (kə·’iw·wal·tōw)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness

lest
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

he become
יִהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

wise
חָכָ֣ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

in his own eyes.
בְּעֵינָֽיו׃ (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


Links
Proverbs 26:5 NIV
Proverbs 26:5 NLT
Proverbs 26:5 ESV
Proverbs 26:5 NASB
Proverbs 26:5 KJV

Proverbs 26:5 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 26:5 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 26:5 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 26:5 French Bible
Proverbs 26:5 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:4
Top of Page
Top of Page