Proverbs 26:3-5
Proverbs 26:3-5 The Message (MSG)
A whip for the racehorse, a tiller for the sailboat— and a stick for the back of fools! Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself. Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn’t get a swelled head.
Proverbs 26:3-5 King James Version (KJV)
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Proverbs 26:3-5 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:3-5 New Century Version (NCV)
Whips are for horses, and harnesses are for donkeys, so paddles are good for fools. Don’t answer fools when they speak foolishly, or you will be just like them. Answer fools when they speak foolishly, or they will think they are really wise.
Proverbs 26:3-5 American Standard Version (ASV)
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Proverbs 26:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:3-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn]. Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. 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]
Proverbs 26:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back! Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
Proverbs 26:3-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Guide a horse with a whip, direct a donkey with a bridle, and lead a rebellious fool with a beating on his backside! Don’t respond to the words of a fool with more foolish words, or you will become as foolish as he is! Instead, if you’re asked a silly question, answer it with words of wisdom so the fool doesn’t think he’s so clever.