Proverbs 26:5-7
Proverbs 26:5-7 The Message (MSG)
Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn’t get a swelled head. You’re only asking for trouble when you send a message by a fool. A proverb quoted by fools is limp as a wet noodle.
Proverbs 26:5-7 King James Version (KJV)
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:5-7 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes. He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool. Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:5-7 New Century Version (NCV)
Answer fools when they speak foolishly, or they will think they are really wise. Sending a message by a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison. A wise saying spoken by a fool is as useless as the legs of a crippled person.
Proverbs 26:5-7 American Standard Version (ASV)
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage. The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:5-7 New International Version (NIV)
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison. Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
Proverbs 26:5-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:5-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
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]. [Matt 16:1-4; 21:24-27] He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence]. [Prov 13:17] Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
Proverbs 26:5-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison! A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
Proverbs 26:5-7 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Instead, if you’re asked a silly question, answer it with words of wisdom so the fool doesn’t think he’s so clever. If you choose a fool to represent you, you’re asking for trouble. It will be as bad for you as cutting off your own feet! You can never trust the words of a fool, just like a crippled man can’t trust his legs to support him.
Proverbs 26:5-7 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.