Amplified Bible
Proverbs 26:5
5Answer [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].
Proverbs 26:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
- New International Version (NIV)Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Context of Proverbs 26:5
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn]. 4Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. 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]. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence]. 7Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:5 word by word
עֲנֵ֣ה כְ֭סִיל כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ פֶּן־יִהְיֶ֖ה חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינָֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:5
- 1 Kings 22:24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah approached and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you?”
- Jeremiah 36:17And they asked Baruch, “Tell us now, how did you write all these words? At his (Jeremiah’s) dictation?”
- Matthew 15:1Then some Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus and said,
- Matthew 16:1Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus [to get something to use against Him], they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven [which would support His divine authority].
- Matthew 21:23When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what [kind of] authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority [to exercise this power]?”
- Matthew 22:15Then the Pharisees went and conspired together plotting how to trap Him by [distorting] what He said.
- Luke 12:31But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
- Luke 13:23And someone asked Him, “Lord, will only a few be saved [from the penalties of the last judgment]?” And He said to them,
- John 8:7However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 9:26So they said to him, “What did He [actually] do to you? How did He open your eyes?”
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Proverbs 28:11The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes, But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.
- Romans 11:25I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of this mystery [God’s previously hidden plan]—so that you will not be wise in your own opinion—that a partial hardening has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;
- Isaiah 5:21Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever and shrewd in their own sight!
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:5
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-5Verses 4-5 We are to fit our remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so as may best end the debate.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Proverbs often depend on the situation. Deciding whether to respond to foolish arguments depends on the type of fool and the situation.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. Answer not--that is, approvingly by like folly.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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