Proverbs 26:4-12

English Standard Version

^4 (A)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
^5 (B)Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be ^(C)wise in his own eyes.
⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and ^(D)drinks violence.
⁷ Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
⁸ Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is ^(E)one who gives honor to a fool.
⁹ Like ^(F)a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.^[a]
11 Like ^(G)a dog that returns to his vomit
    is ^(H)a fool who repeats his folly.
¹² Do you see a man who is ^(I)wise in his own eyes?
    ^(J)There is more hope for a fool than for him.