Proverbs 26:2-7
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 26
2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not come to rest. 3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him. 5Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes. 6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Chops off his own feet and drinks violence. 7 Like useless legs to one who cannot walk, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.King James Version
Chapter 26
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 26
2Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools. 4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself. 5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes. 6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.New Living Translation
English Standard Version
Chapter 26
2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.New International Version
Chapter 26
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. 6Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison. 7Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.New King James Version