Proverbs 26:4-12
New International Version
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.(A)
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.(B)
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool(C)
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(D)
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.(E)
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(F)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,(G)
so fools repeat their folly.(H)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(I)
There is more hope for a fool than for them.(J)
Proverbs 26:4-12
King James Version
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Read full chapterHoly Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.