Proverbs 26:5 — Compare Translations
28 translations compared side by side
English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English ASV
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
English Amplified
Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit. [Matt. 16:1-4; 21:24-27.]
English Amplified Classic Bible 1987
Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit. [Matt. 16:1-4; 21:24-27.]
English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible
Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
English Darby 1890 : Public Domain
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English EASY 2024
If someone asks you a silly question, give him a silly answer. Then he will know that he is not as wise as he thinks he is.
English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
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English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English GNT (Good News Translation)
Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as smart as he thinks.
English God's Word - GW 1995
Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.
English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website
Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
English KJV 1611
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
English LSB
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.
English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website
Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
Answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, he won't be wise in his own eyes.
English NIV
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
English NKJ 1982
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English NLT
When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
English NRSV 1989 - Only for website
Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.
English Passion Translation Bible 2020
Instead, if you’re asked a silly question, answer it with words of wisdom so the fool doesn’t think he’s so clever.
English RSV (Revised Standard Version)
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
Prick his conceit with silly replies!
English Tyndale 1537
but make the fool an answer to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.