Proverbs 17:28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.(A)
Proverbs 17:28
International Standard Version
28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent;
he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.
Proverbs 18:2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing personal opinion.(A)
Proverbs 18:2
International Standard Version
2 A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand,
for he would rather express his own opinion.
Proverbs 18:6-7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
6 A fool’s lips bring strife,
and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin,
and their lips a snare to themselves.(A)
Proverbs 18:6-7
International Standard Version
6 A fool’s words[a] bring strife,
and his mouth invites fighting.
7 A fool’s mouth is his unraveling,
and his lips entrap himself.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:6 Lit. lips
Proverbs 19:1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
19 Better the poor walking in integrity
than one perverse of speech who is a fool.(A)
Proverbs 19:1
International Standard Version
The Priorities of Life Contrasted
19 A poor man who walks blamelessly is better
than a fool who speaks perversely.
Proverbs 19:10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.(A)
Proverbs 19:10
International Standard Version
10 It’s not fitting for a fool to live in luxury;
neither is it for a servant to rule over princes.
Proverbs 19:29
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
29 Punishments are prepared for scoffers
and flogging for the backs of fools.(A)
Proverbs 19:29
International Standard Version
29 Condemnation is appropriate for mockers,
just as beatings are for the backs of fools.
Proverbs 20:3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
3 It is honorable to refrain from strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.(A)
Proverbs 20:3
International Standard Version
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
Proverbs 23:9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
who will only despise the wisdom of your words.(A)
Proverbs 23:9
International Standard Version
9 Don’t speak when a fool is listening,
because he’ll despise your wise words.
Proverbs 24:7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
in the gate they do not open their mouths.(A)
Proverbs 24:7
International Standard Version
7 Wisdom lies beyond reach of the fool;
he has nothing to say in court.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 Lit. in the gate
Proverbs 26:1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.(A)
Proverbs 26:1
International Standard Version
On Fools
26 Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time,
so honor is inappropriate for a fool.
Proverbs 26:3-12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.(A)
4 Do not answer fools according to their folly,
lest you be a fool yourself.(B)
5 Answer fools according to their folly,
lest they be wise in their own eyes.(C)
6 It is like cutting off one’s foot and drinking down violence,
to send a message by a fool.
7 The legs of a lame person hang limp;
so does a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(D)
8 It is like binding a stone in a sling
to give honor to a fool.(E)
9 Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(F)
10 Like an archer who wounds everybody
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.[a]
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit
is a fool who reverts to his folly.(G)
12 Do you see people wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for fools than for them.(H)
Footnotes
- 26.10 Meaning of Heb uncertain
Proverbs 26:3-12
International Standard Version
3 A whip is for the horses,
a bridle is for the donkey,
a rod is for the back of fools.
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.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion?
There’s more hope for a fool than for him.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:6 The Heb. lacks his own
Proverbs 27:3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.(A)
Proverbs 27:3
International Standard Version
3 Rocks are heavy,
and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation outweighs them both.
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