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

Proverbs 23:9

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

World English Bible

Don’t speak 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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Speake not in the eares of a foole: for hee will despise the wisdome of thy wordes.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

In the ears of a fool speak not, For he treadeth on the wisdom of thy words.

Bible in Basic English

Say nothing in the hearing of a foolish man, for he will put no value on the wisdom of your words.

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Cross references

“Speak”

Matthew 7:6 Isaiah 36:21 Acts 28:25–28 Proverbs 9:7 Proverbs 9:8 Proverbs 26:4

Matthew 7:6 · BSB

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.

Isaiah 36:21 · BSB

But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”

Acts 28:25–28 · BSB

They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

Proverbs 9:7 · BSB

He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.

Proverbs 9:8 · BSB

Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Proverbs 26:4 · BSB

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

“he”

John 8:52 John 10:20 1 Corinthians 1:21–24 Luke 16:14 John 9:30–34 Acts 17:18

John 8:52 · BSB

“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.

John 10:20 · BSB

Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”

1 Corinthians 1:21–24 · BSB

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Luke 16:14 · BSB

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.

John 9:30–34 · BSB

“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.

Acts 17:18 · BSB

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was procla…

Also

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7 · BSB

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

8You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.

10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Read Proverbs 23