Proverbs 26

Proverbs · Chapter 26

Proverbs 26:4

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
may notאַל־'al-H0408
not

אַל (al) 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

you answerתַּ֣עַןTA-'anH6030B
to answer

עָנָה (a.nah) 1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to answer, respond to 1a2) to testify, respond as a witness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to make answer 1b2) to be answered, receive answer Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)

a foolכְּ֭סִילKE-silH3684
fool

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

according to foolishness hisכְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹke-'i-val-TOH0200
folly

אִוֶּ֫לֶת (iv.ve.let) foolishness, folly

lestפֶּֽן־pen-H6435
lest

פֶּן־ (pen) conj 1) lest, not, beware lest adv 2) lest

you should become likeתִּשְׁוֶה־tish-veh-H7737A
be like

שָׁוָה (sha.vah) 1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be like 1a2) equivalent (participle) 1a3) to set, place 1a4) setting (participle) 1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still 1c) (Hiphil) to make like 1d) (Nithpael) to be alike Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)

alsoגַם־gam-H1571
also

גַּם (gam) 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike

youאָֽתָּה׃'A-tahH0859A
you

אַנְתָּה (an.tah) you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.