Proverbs 26:4
Good News Translation
If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it.

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

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

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

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.

Judges 12:1-6 But behold there arose a sedition in Ephraim. And passing towards the north, they said to Jephte: When thou wentest to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not call us, that we might go with thee? Therefore we will burn thy house. . . .

2 Samuel 19:41-43 Therefore all the men of Israel running together to the king, said to him: Why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him? . . .

1 Kings 12:14,16 And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying: My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions. . . .

2 Kings 14:8-10 Then Amasias sent messengers to Joas, son of Joachaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying: Come, let us see one another. . . .

1 Peter 2:21-23 For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. . . .

1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.

Jude 1:9 When Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of railing speech, but said: The Lord command thee.

Context
Similitudes and Instructions
3A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.…
Cross References
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.

Proverbs 23:9
Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.

Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry, or laugh, he shall find no rest.

Isaiah 36:21
And they held their peace, and answered him not a word. For the king had commanded, saying: Answer him not.

Proverbs 26:3
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