Focused Passage

Proverbs 26:5

Fools, Sluggards, Quarrels, Gossip, Deceitful Speech, and the Ruin of Unrestrained Folly

The chapter moves from an extended warning about fools, to the self-deception of sluggards, to the danger of meddling and harmful joking, to gossip as conflict fuel, and finally to the concealed malice of lying and flattering speech.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 5

Original words

Answer עֲנֵ֣ה H6030 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular a fool כְ֭סִיל H3684 Noun - masculine singular according to his folly כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ H200 Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular lest פֶּן־ H6435 Conjunction he become יִהְיֶ֖ה H1961 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular wise חָכָ֣ם H2450 Adjective - masculine singular in his own eyes בְּעֵינָֽיו׃ H5869 Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.