Darby Bible
Proverbs 26:4
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
Context of Proverbs 26:4
2As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:4 word by word
אַל־תַּ֣עַן כְּ֭סִיל כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ פֶּֽן־תִּשְׁוֶה־לּ֥וֹ גַם־אָֽתָּה׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:4
- Proverbs 17:14The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
- Judges 12:1And the men of Ephraim were called together, and passed over northwards, and said to Jephthah, Why didst thou pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? We will burn thy house upon thee with fire.
- 2 Samuel 19:41And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over the Jordan?
- 1 Kings 12:14and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
- 2 Kings 14:8Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
- 1 Peter 2:21For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps:
- 1 Peter 3:9not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but on the contrary, blessing [others], because ye have been called to this, that ye should inherit blessing.
- Jude 1:9But Michael the archangel, when disputing with the devil he reasoned about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a railing judgment against [him], but said, [The] Lord rebuke thee.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Answer not a fool - On this and the following verse Bishop Warburton, who has written well on many things, and very indifferently on the doctrine of grace, has written with force and perspicuity: "Had this advice been given simply, and without circumstance, to answer the fool, and not to answer him, one who had reverence for the text would satisfy himself in supposing that the different directions referred to the doing a thing in and out of season; The…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Two sides of a truth. To “answer a fool according to his folly” is in Proverbs 26:4 to bandy words with him, to descend to his level of coarse anger and vile abuse; in Proverbs 26:5 it is to say the right word at the right time, to expose his unwisdom and untruth to others and to himself, not by a teaching beyond his reach, but by words that he is just able to apprehend. The apparent contradiction between the two verses led some of the rabbis to question…Read the comment
- 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 26:4
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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