Proverbs 26:16-19
Proverbs 26:16-19 The Message (MSG)
Dreamers fantasize their self-importance; they think they are smarter than a whole college faculty. You grab a mad dog by the ears when you butt into a quarrel that’s none of your business. People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, “I didn’t mean it, I was only joking,” Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.
Proverbs 26:16-19 King James Version (KJV)
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, And saith, Am not I in sport?
Proverbs 26:16-19 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?”
Proverbs 26:16-19 New Century Version (NCV)
The lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give sensible answers. Interfering in someone else’s quarrel as you pass by is like grabbing a dog by the ears. Like a madman shooting deadly, burning arrows is the one who tricks a neighbor and then says, “I was just joking.”
Proverbs 26:16-19 American Standard Version (ASV)
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
Proverbs 26:16-19 New International Version (NIV)
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly. Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
Proverbs 26:16-19 New King James Version (NKJV)
The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
Proverbs 26:16-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer. Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business. Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?” [Eph 5:4]
Proverbs 26:16-19 New Living Translation (NLT)
Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors. Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears. Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”
Proverbs 26:16-19 The Passion Translation (TPT)
A self-righteous person is convinced he’s smarter than seven wise counselors who tell him the truth. It’s better to grab a stray dog by its ears than to meddle in a quarrel that’s none of your business. The one who is caught lying to his friend, who says, “I didn’t mean it, I was only joking,” can be compared to a madman randomly shooting off deadly weapons.
Proverbs 26:16-19 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly. Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”