Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
†Answere a foole according to his folly, lest hee be wise in his owne conceit.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. his owne eyes.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
5 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 5
- Romans 12:16Rank 1 from verse 5
- Matthew 16:1–4Rank 2 from verse 5
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.
1¶ The *Pharises also, with the Sadduces, came, and tempting, desired him that hee would shew them a signe from heauen.
2He answered, and said vnto them, When it is euening, yee say, It will bee faire weather: for the skie is red.
3And in the morning, It will be foule weather to day: for the skie is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, yee can discerne the face of the skie, but can ye not discerne the signes of the times?
4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a signe, and there shall no signe be giuen vnto it, but the signe of the Prophet Ionas. And hee left them, and departed.
- Proverbs 3:7Rank 3 from verse 5
- John 9:26–33Rank 5 from verse 5
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.
26Then saide they to him againe, What did he to thee? How opened hee thine eyes?
27He answered them, I haue told you already, and ye did not heare: wherfore would you heare it againe? Will ye also be his disciples?
28Then they reuiled him, and said, Thou art his disciple, but we are Moses disciples.
29Wee know that God spake vnto Moses: as for this fellow, we knowe not from whence he is.
30The man answered, and said vnto them, Why herein is a marueilous 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 bee a worshipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth.
32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was borne blinde:
33If this man were not of God, he could doe nothing.
- Luke 12:13–21Rank 6 from verse 5
13¶ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
13¶ And one of the company saide vnto him, Master, speake to my brother, that he diuide the inheritance with me.
14And he said vnto him, Man, who made mee a iudge, or a diuider ouer you?
15And he said vnto them, Take heed and beware of couetousnes: for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16And he spake a parable vnto them, saying, The ground of a certaine rich man brought foorth plentifully.
17And he thought within himselfe, saying, What shall I doe, because I haue no roome where to bestow my fruits?
18And he said, This will I doe, I will pull downe my barnes, and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits, and my goods.
19And I will say to my soule, Soule, thou hast much goods layd vp for many yeeres, take thine ease, eate, drinke, and be merry.
20But God said vnto him, Thou foole, this night †thy soule shal be required of thee: then whose shal those things be which thou hast prouided?
21So is he that laieth vp treasure for himselfe, and is not rich towards God.
- Matthew 21:23–27Rank 7 from verse 5
23¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
23¶ *And when he was come into the temple, the chiefe Priests and the Elders of the people came vnto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authoritie doest thou these things? and who gaue thee this authoritie?
24And Iesus answered, and said vnto them, I also will aske you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authoritie I doe these things.
25The baptisme of Iohn, whence was it? from heauen, or of men? and they reasoned with themselues saying, If we shall say, From heauen, hee will say vnto vs, Why did ye not then beleeue him?
26But if we shall say, Of men, we feare the people, *for all hold Iohn as a Prophet.
27And they answered Iesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said vnto them, Neither tell I you by what authoritie I doe these things.
- Proverbs 26:12Rank 8 from verse 5
- Proverbs 26:4Rank 9 from verse 5
- Proverbs 28:11Rank 10 from verse 5
- Romans 11:25Rank 11 from verse 5
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should bee ignorant of this mysterie (least yee should bee wise in your owne conceits) that ‖blindnesse in part is happened to Israel, vntill the fulnes of the Gentiles be come in.
- Titus 1:13Rank 12 from verse 5
- 1 Kings 22:24–28Rank 13 from verse 5
24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?
25And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
26And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
27And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
28And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
24But Zedekiah the sonne of Chenaanah went neere, and smote Micaiah on the cheeke, and said, *Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me, to speake vnto thee?
25And Micaiah sayde, Beholde, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt goe ‖into an inner chamber, to hide thy selfe.
26And the King of Israel sayde, Take Micaiah, and cary him backe vnto Amon the gouernour of the citie, and to Ioash the kings sonne:
27And say, Thus sayth the King, Put this fellow in the prison, and feede him with bread of affliction, and with water of afflictiō, vntil I come in peace.
28And Micaiah saide, If thou returne at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, euery one of you.
- Isaiah 5:21Rank 14 from verse 5
- Jeremiah 36:17–18Rank 15 from verse 5
17And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
18Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.
17And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell vs now, How diddest thou write all these words at his mouth?
18Then Baruch answered them, Hee pronounced all these words vnto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with inke in the Booke.
- Luke 13:23–30Rank 16 from verse 5
23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
23Then said one vnto him, Lord, are there few that be saued? And he said vnto them,
24¶ *Striue to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say vnto you, will seeke to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen vp, & hath shut to the doore, and ye begin to stand without, & to knocke at the doore, saying, Lord, Lord, open vnto vs, and he shal answere, & say vnto you, I know you not whence you are:
26Then shall ye begin to say, Wee haue eaten and drunke in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27*But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from me all ye workers of iniquitie.
28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when yee shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob, and all the Prophets in the kingdome of God, and you your selues thrust out.
29And they shall come from the East, and from the West, and from the North, and from the South, and shall sit downe in the kingdome of God.
30*And behold, there are last, which shall be first; and there are first, which shall be last.
- Matthew 15:1–3Rank 17 from verse 5
1THEN came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
1¶ Then *came to Iesus Scribes and Pharisees, which were of Hierusalem, saying,
2Why do thy disciples transgresse the tradition of the Elders? for they wash not their handes when they eat bread.
3But hee answered, and said vnto them, Why doe you also transgresse the Commandement of God by your tradition?
- Matthew 22:15–32Rank 18 from verse 5
15¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
23¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27And last of all the woman died also.
28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
15¶ *Then went the Pharises, and tooke counsell, how they might intangle him in his talke.
16And they sent out vnto him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, wee know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in trueth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men.
17Tell vs therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar, or not?
18But Iesus perceiued their wickednesse, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought vnto him a †peny.
20And he sayth vnto them, Whose is this image and ‖superscription?
21They say vnto him, Cesars. Then sayth he vnto them, *Render therefore vnto Cesar, the things which are Cesars: and vnto God, the things that are Gods.
22When they had heard these wordes, they marueiled, and left him, and went their way.
23¶ *The same day came to him the Sadduces, *which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24Saying, Master, *Moses said, If a man die, hauing no children, his brother shall marrie his wife, and raise vp seed vnto his brother.
25Now there were with vs seuen brethren, and the first when he had maried a wife, deceased, and hauing no issue, left his wife vnto his brother.
26Likewise the second also, and the third, vnto the seuenth.
27And last of al the woman died also.
28Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seuen? for they all had her.
29Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Yee doe erre, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are giuen in marriage, but are as the Angels of God in heauen.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, haue ye not read that which was spoken vnto you by God, saying,
32*I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the liuing.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 26:5
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
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
Agreeing or corresponding; in conformity with; as stated, measured, or directed by.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
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
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
Conception, idea, or notion.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4Answere not a foole according to his folly, lest thou also be like vnto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
5†Answere a foole according to his folly, lest hee be wise in his owne conceit.
Selected passage6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
6‖He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, cutteth off the feete, and drinketh dammage.