Proverbs 23:9-12
Proverbs 23:9-12 The Message (MSG)
Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they’ll only poke fun at your words. Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property, For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them. Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 King James Version (KJV)
Speak not in the ears of a fool: For he will despise the wisdom of thy words. Remove not the old landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with thee. Apply thine heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. Do not move the ancient boundary Or go into the fields of the fatherless, For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you. Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 New Century Version (NCV)
Don’t speak to fools; they will only ignore your wise words. Don’t move an old stone that marks a border, and don’t take fields that belong to orphans. God, their defender, is strong; he will take their side against you. Remember what you are taught, and listen carefully to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 American Standard Version (ASV)
Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words. Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee. Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 New International Version (NIV)
Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 New King James Version (NKJV)
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you. Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
¶Do not speak in the ears of a fool, For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words. [Is 32:6] ¶Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property] And do not go into the fields of the fatherless [to take what is theirs], [Deut 19:14; 27:17; Prov 22:28] For their Redeemer is strong and mighty; He will plead their case against you. Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice. Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans. For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you. Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:9-12 The Passion Translation (TPT)
A rebellious fool will despise your wise advice, so don’t even waste your time—save your breath! Never move a long-standing boundary line or attempt to take land that belongs to the fatherless. For they have a mighty protector, a loving redeemer, who watches over them, and he will stand up for their cause. Pay close attention to the teaching that corrects you, and open your heart to every word of instruction.
Proverbs 23:9-12 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words. Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you. Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.