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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 26:3–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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6 selected · 4 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

27 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 3

  1. Proverbs 10:13Rank 1 from verse 3
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    13In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

  2. 1 Corinthians 4:21Rank 2 from verse 3
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    21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

  3. Psalms 32:9Rank 3 from verse 3
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    9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

  4. 2 Corinthians 10:6Rank 4 from verse 3
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    6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

  5. 2 Corinthians 13:2Rank 5 from verse 3
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    2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

From verse 4

  1. Proverbs 26:5Rank 1 from verse 4
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    5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

  2. 1 Peter 3:9Rank 2 from verse 4
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    9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  3. Jude 1:9Rank 3 from verse 4
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    9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  4. 1 Kings 12:14Rank 4 from verse 4
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    14And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

  5. Proverbs 17:14Rank 5 from verse 4
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    14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

From verse 5

  1. Romans 12:16Rank 1 from verse 5
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    16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

  2. Matthew 16:1–4Rank 2 from verse 5
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    1THE Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

    2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

    3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

    4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

  3. Proverbs 3:7Rank 3 from verse 5
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    7¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

  4. John 8:7Rank 4 from verse 5
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    7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

  5. John 9:26–33Rank 5 from verse 5
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    26Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

    27He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

    28Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.

    29We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

    30The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

    31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

    32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

    33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

From verse 6

  1. Proverbs 10:26Rank 1 from verse 6
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    26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

  2. Proverbs 25:13Rank 2 from verse 6
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    13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

  3. Proverbs 13:17Rank 3 from verse 6
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    17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

  4. Numbers 13:31Rank 4 from verse 6
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    31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

From verse 7

  1. Proverbs 26:9Rank 1 from verse 7
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    9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

  2. Proverbs 17:7Rank 2 from verse 7
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    7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

  3. Psalms 64:8Rank 3 from verse 7
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    8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

  4. Matthew 7:4–5Rank 4 from verse 7
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    4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

    5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

  5. Psalms 50:16–21Rank 5 from verse 7
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    16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

    17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

    18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

    19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

    20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

    21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

From verse 8

  1. Proverbs 26:1Rank 1 from verse 8
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    1AS snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

  2. Proverbs 30:22Rank 2 from verse 8
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    22For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

  3. Proverbs 19:10Rank 3 from verse 8
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    10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 26:3

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bridle

↗

1. The bit, reins, or headgear used to guide and restrain an animal. 2. A means of restraint or control. 3. To restrain or control.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

back

↗

Sense 1: The rear part; a position or direction behind. Sense 2: A return to a former place or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 26:4

COMBINED MEANING

answer

↗

Sense 1: A reply or response. Sense 2: As a verb, to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lest

↗

For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 26:5

COMBINED MEANING

answer

↗

Sense 1: A reply or response. Sense 2: As a verb, to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lest

↗

For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 26:6

COMBINED MEANING

message

↗

Any notice, word or communication, written or verbal, sent from one person to another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 26:7

COMBINED MEANING

lame

↗

Sense 1: Impaired or unsound in a foot or leg so as not to walk normally. Sense 2: Figuratively, weak or impaired.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

equal

↗

Sense 1: The same in measure, value, standing, or likeness. Sense 2: Just, right, or even.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

parable

↗

A figurative saying, comparison, or narrative that sets one matter beside another to convey meaning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 26:8

COMBINED MEANING

bindeth

↗

Ties, fastens, joins, confines, restrains, or holds; binds up by wrapping or closing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stone

↗

Sense 1: A piece or mass of rock. Sense 2: To strike or kill with stones.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sling

↗

Sense 1: A hand-held instrument for throwing stones. Sense 2: As a verb, to cast or hurl with force.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

honour

↗

Sense 1: Esteem, respect, dignity, glory, distinction, or exalted standing. Sense 2: To esteem, respect, acknowledge, reward, or adorn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 26:2–9

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

26:2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

Selected passage

26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

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26:5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Selected passage

26:6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

Selected passage

26:7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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26:8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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26:9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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