New Living Translation
Proverbs 26:3
3Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!
Proverbs 26:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
- New International Version (NIV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
- English Standard Version (ESV)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
Context of Proverbs 26:3
1Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest. 2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back! 4Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. 5Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:3 word by word
שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:3
- Proverbs 10:13Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
- Proverbs 17:10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
- Proverbs 19:25If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
- Proverbs 27:22You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.
- Judges 8:5When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, “Please give my warriors some food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
- Psalms 32:9Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:21Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
- 2 Corinthians 10:6And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3A whip for the horse - Correction is as suitable to a fool, as a whip is for a horse, or a bridle for an ass.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3A fool is like a simple animal that needs strong guidance (see Proverbs 10:13; 14:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. The rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:3
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 Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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