Proverbs 26:4-10

New American Standard Bible

^4 (A)Do not answer a fool ^[a]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
^5 (B)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be ^(C)wise in his own eyes.
⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
⁷ Like ^[b]useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
⁸ Like ^[c]one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
⁹ Like a thorn that ^[d]sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
^10 [e]Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.