Proverbs 26:4 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be l…”

Proverbs 26:4

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him — even thou.

Bible in Basic English

Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.

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Cross references

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”

1 Peter 3:9 Jude 1:9 Proverbs 17:14 1 Kings 12:14 Judges 12:1–6 2 Samuel 19:41–43

1 Peter 3:9 · BSB

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Jude 1:9 · BSB

But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Proverbs 17:14 · BSB

To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

1 Kings 12:14 · BSB

and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

Judges 12:1–6 · BSB

Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside…

2 Samuel 19:41–43 · BSB

Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”

Also

Proverbs 26:5 Isaiah 36:21

Proverbs 26:5 · BSB

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

Isaiah 36:21 · BSB

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

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

In context

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

Read Proverbs 26