Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 26:5
5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
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. 4Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes. 6The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
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 22:24Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah came up, hit Micaiah on the cheek, and demanded, “Did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?”
- Jeremiah 36:17Then they asked Baruch, “Tell us, how did you write all these words? At his dictation?”
- Matthew 15:1Then Jesus was approached by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, who asked,
- Matthew 16:1The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and tested him, asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Matthew 21:23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?”
- Matthew 22:15Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap him by what he said.
- Luke 12:31“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.
- Luke 13:23“Lord,” someone asked him, “are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them,
- John 8:7When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 9:26Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Proverbs 28:11A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.
- Romans 11:25I don’t want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
- Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who consider themselves wise and judge themselves clever.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
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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Commentaries