Proverbs 17:28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.(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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(A)
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(B)
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
19 Better a poor man who lives with integrity(A)
than someone who has deceitful lips 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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings 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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 20:3
International Standard Version
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
Proverbs 23:9
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:9 Lit in the ears of
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 Lit is too high for
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(A)
and a rod for the backs of fools.(B)
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness(C)
or you’ll be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness(D)
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.(E)
6 The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand(F)
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.(G)
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like lame legs that hang limp.
8 Giving honor to a fool
is like binding a stone in a sling.[a]
9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a stick with thorns,
brandished by[b] the hand of a drunkard.
10 The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by
is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.(H)
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?(I)
There is more hope for a fool than for him.(J)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:8 A stone bound in a sling would not release and could harm the person using the sling. A modern equivalent is jamming a cork in a gun barrel.
- Proverbs 26:9 Lit thorn that goes up into
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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
3 A stone is heavy and sand, a burden,
but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
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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