Proverbs 26:2,4-5
Proverbs 26:2 The Message (MSG)
You have as little to fear from an undeserved curse as from the dart of a wren or the swoop of a swallow.
Proverbs 26:4-5 The Message (MSG)
Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself. Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn’t get a swelled head.
Proverbs 26:2 King James Version (KJV)
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, So the curse causeless shall not come.
Proverbs 26:4-5 King James Version (KJV)
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.
Proverbs 26:2 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.
Proverbs 26:4-5 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:2 New Century Version (NCV)
Curses will not harm someone who is innocent; they are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land.
Proverbs 26:4-5 New Century Version (NCV)
Don’t answer fools when they speak foolishly, or you will be just like them. Answer fools when they speak foolishly, or they will think they are really wise.
Proverbs 26:2 American Standard Version (ASV)
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
Proverbs 26:4-5 American Standard Version (ASV)
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.
Proverbs 26:2 New International Version (NIV)
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
Proverbs 26:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
Proverbs 26:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving]. [Num 23:8]
Proverbs 26:4-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him]. [Matt 16:1-4; 21:24-27]
Proverbs 26:2 New Living Translation (NLT)
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
Proverbs 26:4-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
Proverbs 26:2 The Passion Translation (TPT)
An undeserved curse will be powerless to harm you. It may flutter over you like a bird, but it will find no place to land.
Proverbs 26:4-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Don’t respond to the words of a fool with more foolish words, or you will become as foolish as he is! Instead, if you’re asked a silly question, answer it with words of wisdom so the fool doesn’t think he’s so clever.