EasyEnglish Bible 2018
Proverbs 26:3
3There are right ways to punish a horse or a donkey. The right way to punish a fool is to beat him with a stick.
Proverbs 26:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
- New International Version (NIV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
- English Standard Version (ESV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
Context of Proverbs 26:3
1It is not right to give honour to a fool. It is as silly as snow that falls in summer, or rain that falls at the time of harvest. 2If someone curses you for no reason, it will not stay with you. Their words will be like birds that never stop to rest. There are right ways to punish a horse or a donkey. The right way to punish a fool is to beat him with a stick. 4If someone asks you a silly question, do not give him a silly answer. Be careful that you do not become as silly as he is. 5If someone asks you a silly question, give him a silly answer. Then he will know that he is not as wise as he thinks he is.
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:3 word by word
שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:3
- Proverbs 10:13People who understand what is right speak wise words. But silly people receive the punishment that they deserve.
- Proverbs 17:10You can warn a wise person once and he will learn what is right. But a fool never learns, even if you hit him a hundred times.
- Proverbs 19:25If you beat a proud fool, a silly person may learn to be careful. If you warn a wise person, he himself will learn a lesson.
- Proverbs 27:22Even if you beat a fool with a big stick, as hard as you beat grain, you will never remove all his silly ideas.
- Judges 8:5Gideon said to the men of Succoth, ‘Please give my soldiers some food to eat. They are very tired. We are chasing the kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, to catch them.’
- Psalms 32:9Do not be like a silly horse, or a mule. You have to use a rope to show them which way to go. Without that, they will not obey you.
- 1 Corinthians 4:21I will come and I will find out what is really true. So you must choose. Will I need to be angry and punish you? Or will I speak kind words to show that I love you? Which do you want me to do?
- 2 Corinthians 10:6You must show that you are ready to obey completely. Then we will be ready to punish anyone who refuses to obey in any way.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2I have already warned those people who did wrong things before. I did that when I was with you on my second visit. Now I am warning them again, while I am away from you. So, when I come to you the next time, nobody will go free. I will punish those people and all the others who have done wrong things.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3A whip for the horse - Correction is as suitable to a fool, as a whip is for a horse, or a bridle for an ass.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3A fool is like a simple animal that needs strong guidance (see Proverbs 10:13; 14:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. The rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:3
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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