God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 23:9
9Do not talk directly to a fool, because 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
7As he calculates the cost to himself, this is what he does: He tells you, “Eat and drink,” but he doesn’t really mean it. 8You will vomit the little bit you have eaten and spoil your pleasant conversation. Do not talk directly to a fool, because he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10Do not move an ancient boundary marker or enter fields that belong to orphans, 11because the one who is responsible for them is strong. He will plead 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
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 23:9
- Proverbs 9:7Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse. Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt.
- Proverbs 26:4Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.
- Isaiah 36:21They were silent and didn’t say anything to him because the king commanded them not to answer him.
- Matthew 7:6“Don’t give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls to pigs. Otherwise, they will trample them and then tear you to pieces.
- Acts 13:45When the Jews saw the crowds, they became very jealous. They used insulting language to contradict whatever Paul said.
- Acts 28:25The Jews, unable to agree among themselves, left after Paul had quoted this particular passage to them: “How well the Holy Spirit spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah!
- Luke 16:14The Pharisees, who love money, heard all this and were making sarcastic remarks about him.
- John 8:52The Jews told Jesus, “Now we know that you’re possessed by a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets, but you say, ‘Whoever does what I say will never taste death.’
- John 9:30The man replied to them, “That’s amazing! You don’t know where he’s from. Yet, he gave me sight.
- John 10:20Many of them said, “He’s possessed by a demon! He’s crazy! Why do you listen to him?”
- Acts 17:18Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers had discussions with him. Some asked, “What is this babbling fool trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be speaking about foreign gods.” The philosophers said these things because Paul was telling the Good News about Jesus and saying that people would come back to life.
- 1 Corinthians 1:21The world with its wisdom was unable to recognize God in terms of his own wisdom. So God decided to use the nonsense of the Good News we speak to save those who believe.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries