Verse 4

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him yourself.

Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • Judg 12:1-6 : 1 The men of Ephraim were called together, crossed northward, and said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to fight against the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on top of you in fire!" 2 Jephthah replied to them, "I and my people were in a serious struggle with the Ammonites. I called for your help, but you did not save me from their hands. 3 "When I saw that you would not help, I risked my own life and crossed over to fight against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why have you come to fight against me today?" 4 Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim because they had said, "You Gileadites are deserters from Ephraim and Manasseh." 5 The Gileadites seized the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim tried to cross over, they would say, "Let me cross over." The men of Gilead would respond, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No," 6 they would say, "Say 'Shibboleth.'" And if he said 'Sibboleth,' because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand from Ephraim were killed.
  • 2 Sam 19:41-43 : 41 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah and half the people of Israel escorted the king. 42 Soon, all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal you away and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all your men?" 43 The men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, "The king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions, or have we taken anything for ourselves?"
  • 1 Kgs 12:14 : 14 He said to them, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father disciplined you with whips; I will discipline you with scorpions."
  • 1 Kgs 12:16 : 16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: "What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse's son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!" So the Israelites went home.
  • 2 Kgs 14:8-9 : 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, with this challenge: 'Come, let us face each other in battle.' 9 Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, 'A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild animal in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. 10 You have indeed defeated Edom, and now you are arrogant. Be content with your glory and stay at home. Why bring disaster on yourself and Judah as well?'
  • Prov 17:14 : 14 Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; so stop the dispute before it breaks out.
  • Prov 26:5 : 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
  • Isa 36:21 : 21 But the people remained silent and did not answer him a word, because the king had commanded, 'Do not answer him.'
  • 1 Pet 2:21-23 : 21 To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. 23 When He was reviled, He did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.
  • 1 Pet 3:9 : 9 Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary, give a blessing, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing.
  • Jude 1:9 : 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'