New International Version
Proverbs 26:5
5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will 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.
- 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.
- 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 backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. 6Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison. 7Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
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 son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.
- Jeremiah 36:17Then they asked Baruch, “Tell us, how did you come to write all this? Did Jeremiah dictate it?”
- Matthew 15:1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
- Matthew 16:1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Matthew 21:23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
- Matthew 22:15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
- Luke 12:31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
- Luke 13:23Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them,
- John 8:7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 9:26Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
- Proverbs 28:11The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
- Romans 11:25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
- Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. 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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