Proverbs 17:12
World English Bible
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man,
rather than a fool in his folly.
Proverbs 17:12
International Standard Version
12 It’s better to meet a mother bear who has lost her cubs
than a fool in his stupidity.
Proverbs 23:9
World English Bible
9 Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Proverbs 23:9
International Standard Version
9 Don’t speak when a fool is listening,
because he’ll despise your wise words.
Proverbs 26:4-11
World English Bible
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling,
so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all,
so is he who hires a fool
or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Proverbs 26:4-11
International Standard Version
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness,
or you will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness,
or he will think himself to be wise.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own[a] feet and drinks violence.
7 Useless legs to the lame—
that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
8 Tying a stone to a sling—
that’s what giving honor to a fool is.
9 A thorn in the hand of a drunkard—
that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
10 An archer who shoots at anyone—
is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.
11 A dog that returns to its vomit
is like a fool who reverts to his folly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:6 The Heb. lacks his own
Proverbs 27:22
World English Bible
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
Proverbs 27:22
International Standard Version
22 Though you crush a fool in a mortar and pestle
as someone might crush grain,
his stupidity still won’t leave him.
Proverbs 29:9
World English Bible
9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,
the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
Proverbs 29:9
International Standard Version
9 When a wise man has a dispute with a fool,
the fool either rages or laughs without relief.
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