Proverbs 26:4 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

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

English ASV

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

English Amplified

Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

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

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

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

English EASY 2024

If someone asks you a silly question, do not give him a silly answer. Be careful that you do not become as silly as he is.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid. If you answer them, then you, too, will look like a fool. If you don't answer them, they will think they are smart.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you'll be like him yourself.

English KJV 1611

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

English LSB

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

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

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

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

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

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Answer not the fool according to his folly, lest you too become like him.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

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

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Don't answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, you will be like him yourself.

English NIV

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

English NKJ 1982

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

English NLT

When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

Don’t respond to the words of a fool with more foolish words, or you will become as foolish as he is!

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

When arguing with a rebel, don't use foolish arguments as he does, or you will become as foolish as he is!

English Tyndale 1537

Give not the fool an answer after his foolishness, lest thou become like unto him:

Proverbs 26:4 — Compare Translations