Proverbs 23:9
Modern Translations
New International Version
Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

New Living Translation
Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.

English Standard Version
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Berean Study Bible
Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

New American Standard Bible
Do not speak to be heard by a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

NASB 1995
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

NASB 1977
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Amplified Bible
Do not speak in the ears of a fool, For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don't speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.

Contemporary English Version
Don't talk to fools--they will make fun of you.

Good News Translation
Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not talk directly to a fool, because he will despise the wisdom of your words.

International Standard Version
Don't speak when a fool is listening, because he'll despise your wise words.

NET Bible
Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Classic Translations
King James Bible
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

New King James Version
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

King James 2000 Bible
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

New Heart English Bible
Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

World English Bible
Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

American King James Version
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

American Standard Version
Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

A Faithful Version
Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Darby Bible Translation
Speak not in the ears of a foolish [man], for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

English Revised Version
Speak not in the hearing of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Early Modern
Geneva Bible of 1587
Speake not in the eares of a foole: for hee will despise the wisdome of thy wordes.

Bishops' Bible of 1568
Tell nothing into the eares of a foole: for he wyll despise the wysdome of thy wordes.

Coverdale Bible of 1535
Tel nothinge in to ye eares of a foole, for he wyl despyse the wysdome of thy wordes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not speak in the ears of a fool, "" For he treads on the wisdom of your words.

Young's Literal Translation
In the ears of a fool speak not, For he treadeth on the wisdom of thy words.

Smith's Literal Translation
In the ears of the foolish thou shalt not speak, for he will despise for the understanding of thy words.

Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not speak into the ears of the unwise. They will despise the doctrine of your eloquence.

Translations from Aramaic
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not speak in front of a fool because he despises your words.

Lamsa Bible
Do not speak in the presence of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak not in the ears of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words.
















Proverbs 23:8
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