English Standard Version
Proverbs 26:5
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
Context of Proverbs 26:5
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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 the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?"
- Jeremiah 36:17Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, please, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?"
- Matthew 15:1Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
- Matthew 16:1And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Matthew 21:23And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"
- Matthew 22:15Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.
- Luke 12:31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
- Luke 13:23And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,
- John 8:7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
- John 9:26They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Proverbs 28:11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
- Romans 11:25Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
- Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries