New King James 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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 fool’s back. 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp 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 22:24Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go from me to speak to you?”
- Jeremiah 36:17And they asked Baruch, saying, “Tell us now, how did you write all these words—at his instruction?”
- Matthew 15:1Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
- Matthew 16:1Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.
- Matthew 21:23Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted 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 they might entangle Him in His talk.
- Luke 12:31But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
- Luke 13:23Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them,
- John 8:7So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
- John 9:26Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Proverbs 28:11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
- Romans 11:25For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
- Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
- Romans 12:16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries