New English Translation
Proverbs 26:5
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
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 and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation. 6Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool. 7Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so 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 22:24Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, “Which way did the Lord’s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?”
- Jeremiah 36:17Then they asked Baruch, “How did you come to write all these words? Do they actually come from Jeremiah’s mouth?”
- Matthew 15:1Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said,
- Matthew 16:1Now when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Matthew 21:23Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and 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 out and planned together to entrap him with his own words.
- Luke 12:31Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
- Luke 13:23Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” So he said to them,
- John 8:7When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 9:26Then they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he cause you to see?”
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man 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 discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.
- Romans 11:25For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
- Isaiah 5:21Those who think they are wise are as good as dead, those who think they possess understanding.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
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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