Proverbs 26:4
New International Version
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

New Living Translation
Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

English Standard Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

King James Bible
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

New King James Version
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

New American Standard Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him.

NASB 1995
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.

NASB 1977
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you yourself also be like him.

Amplified Bible
Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.

American Standard Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Do not give answer to a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.

Contemporary English Version
Don't make a fool of yourself by answering a fool.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.

English Revised Version
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.

Good News Translation
If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it.

International Standard Version
Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.

Literal Standard Version
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, | Lest you are like to him—even you.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

New American Bible
Do not answer fools according to their folly, lest you too become like them.

NET Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself.

New Heart English Bible
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.

World English Bible
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

Young's Literal Translation
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
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 like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:6
Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

Isaiah 36:21
But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, "Do not answer him."


Treasury of Scripture

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like to him.

Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Judges 12:1-6
And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire…

2 Samuel 19:41-43
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? …

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Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














(4) Answer not a fool.--Comp. Proverbs 1:22.

According to his folly.--Do not lower yourself by disputing or arguing with him; he will not take in your meaning, and will think he has got the better of you, perhaps will insult you. It is noticeable that our Lord never answered a question which should not have been asked Him, but always put it by (e.g., Matthew 21:23, sqq.; Luke 13:23-24; Luke 23:9; John 21:21-22; Acts 1:6, sqq.). . . .

Verse 4. - Answer not a fool according to his folly. Do not lower yourself to the fool's level by answering his silly questions or arguing with him as if he were a sensible man. Lest thou also be like unto him; lest you be led to utter folly yourself or to side with him in his opinions and practices. Our blessed Saviour never responded to foolish and captious questions in the way that the questioner hoped and desired, he put them by or gave an unexpected turn to them which silenced the adversary. Instances may be seen in Matthew 21:23, etc.; Matthew 22:21, 22; Luke 13:23, etc.; John 21:21, etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

answer
תַּ֣עַן (ta·‘an)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

a fool
כְּ֭סִיל (kə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

according to his folly,
כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ (kə·’iw·wal·tōw)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness

or
פֶּֽן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

you yourself
אָֽתָּה׃ (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

will be like him.
תִּשְׁוֶה־ (tiš·weh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:4 Don't answer a fool according to his (Prov. Pro Pr)
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