Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 23:9
9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Proverbs 23:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Context of Proverbs 23:9
7for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.
Read all of Proverbs 23Proverbs 23:9 word by word
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 23:9
- Proverbs 9:7He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Proverbs 26:4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
- Isaiah 36:21But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
- Matthew 7:6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
- Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
- Acts 28:25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
- Luke 16:14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
- John 8:52“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.
- John 9:30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.
- John 10:20Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
- Acts 17:18Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 1:21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
Commentaries on Proverbs 23:9
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9The “fool” here is one willfully and persistently deaf to it, almost identical with the scorner.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his peace.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9Saying 9: Fools do not listen to advice (compare Proverbs 9:7–12; 10:18), so wise people do not waste their words (see Matthew 7:6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. (Compare Pr 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Mt 7:6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 23:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 23
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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