Proverbs 17:28
English Standard Version
28 Even a fool (A)who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
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
English Standard Version
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only (A)in expressing his opinion.
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
English Standard Version
6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites (A)a beating.
7 (B)A fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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
English Standard Version
19 (A)Better is a poor person who (B)walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
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
English Standard Version
10 (A)It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for (B)a slave to rule over princes.
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
English Standard Version
Proverbs 19:29
International Standard Version
29 Condemnation is appropriate for mockers,
just as beatings are for the backs of fools.
Proverbs 20:3
English Standard Version
3 It is an honor for a man to (A)keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3
International Standard Version
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
Proverbs 23:9
English Standard Version
9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
for he will despise the good sense 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 24:7
English Standard Version
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
English Standard Version
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
English Standard Version
3 (A)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and (B)a rod for the back of fools.
4 (C)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5 (D)Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be (E)wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and (F)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 (G)one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like (H)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 (I)a dog that returns to his vomit
is (J)a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is (K)wise in his own eyes?
(L)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
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
English Standard Version
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but (A)a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
Proverbs 27:3
International Standard Version
3 Rocks are heavy,
and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation outweighs them both.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
