Proverbs 26:5
New International Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

New Living Translation
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

English Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Berean Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

King James Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

New King James Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

New American Standard Bible
Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

NASB 1995
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.

NASB 1977
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Legacy Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Amplified Bible
Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].

Christian Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.

American Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Contemporary English Version
But if you answer any fools, show how foolish they are, so they won't feel smart.

English Revised Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.

Good News Translation
Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as smart as he thinks.

International Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.

Majority Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

NET Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.

New Heart English Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Webster's Bible Translation
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

World English Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Answer a fool according to his folly, "" Lest he is wise in his own eyes.

Young's Literal Translation
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Smith's Literal Translation
Answer the foolish according to his folly lest he shall be wise in his own eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

New American Bible
Answer fools according to their folly, lest they become wise in their own eyes.

New Revised Standard Version
Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But answer a fool according to your wisdom, lest he think in himself that he is wise.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But speak with a fool according to your wisdom lest he think in his soul that he is wise.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
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. 6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.…

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.

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

Luke 20:26
And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people. And amazed at His answer, they fell silent.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil. / Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Ecclesiastes 10:1-3
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. / A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. / Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Proverbs 9:7-8
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. / Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Proverbs 14:7
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

Proverbs 17:12
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.


Treasury of Scripture

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

fool

1 Kings 22:24-28
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? …

Jeremiah 36:17,18
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth? …

Matthew 15:1-3
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, …

lest

Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 28:11
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

conceit

Isaiah 5:21
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Jump to Previous
Conceit Deserves Eyes Folly Fool Foolish Seem Wise
Jump to Next
Conceit Deserves Eyes Folly Fool Foolish Seem Wise
Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














Answer a fool
The Hebrew word for "answer" is "עָנָה" (anah), which implies a response or reply. In the context of Proverbs, this suggests engaging with the fool in a manner that addresses their misguided notions. The term "fool" is translated from "כְּסִיל" (kesil), often used in Proverbs to describe someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. This phrase encourages believers to engage with those who are misguided, not to belittle them, but to correct their misconceptions with truth and wisdom.

according to his folly
The word "folly" comes from the Hebrew "אִוֶּלֶת" (ivveleth), which denotes foolishness or senselessness. This phrase suggests that the response should be tailored to the nature of the fool's folly. It implies a strategic approach, where the response is crafted to expose the absurdity of the fool's thinking, thereby preventing them from continuing in their erroneous ways. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of using discernment and wisdom in interactions with others.

lest he become wise in his own eyes
The phrase "wise in his own eyes" is a warning against self-deception and pride. The Hebrew root "חָכָם" (chakam) for "wise" here is used ironically, as it refers to a false sense of wisdom. The phrase underscores the danger of allowing a fool to persist in their folly unchecked, as it can lead to arrogance and self-righteousness. This part of the verse serves as a cautionary note, reminding believers of the importance of humility and the need to prevent others from falling into the trap of self-conceit.

(5) Answer a fool according to his folly.--As his folly deserves, sharply and decisively, and in language suited to his comprehension.

Verse 5. - Answer a fool according to his folly. This maxim at first sight seems absolutely antagonistic to the purport of the preceding verse; but it is not so really. The words, "according to his folly," in this verse mean, as his folly deserves, in so plain a way as is expose it, and shame him, and bring him to a better mind. Lest he be wise in his own conceit; thinking, it may be, that he has said something worth hearing, or put you to silence by his superior intelligence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Answer
עֲנֵ֣ה (‘ă·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

a fool
כְ֭סִיל (ḵə·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

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

he become
יִהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

wise
חָכָ֣ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

in his own eyes.
בְּעֵינָֽיו׃ (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


Links
Proverbs 26:5 NIV
Proverbs 26:5 NLT
Proverbs 26:5 ESV
Proverbs 26:5 NASB
Proverbs 26:5 KJV

Proverbs 26:5 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 26:5 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 26:5 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 26:5 French Bible
Proverbs 26:5 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:4
Top of Page
Top of Page