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Proverbs 26:4

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Don't answer a fool by acting foolish like they do, or you'll become just like them.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse warns against responding to foolish behavior with more foolish behavior, because doing so makes you foolish too.

📚 Historical Context

This proverb comes from Solomon's collection of wise sayings, written during Israel's golden age around 950 BC. In ancient Hebrew culture, a 'fool' wasn't just someone lacking intelligence, but someone who rejected God's wisdom and lived recklessly. These proverbs were used to teach young people how to navigate relationships and make good decisions.

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Translation & Methodology Sources

The original manuscript text provided is based on the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain. Our modern English simplifications are generated via proprietary philological synthesis, cross-referenced against Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and the Textus Receptus to ensure unwavering theological and etymological precision.

Read our full translation methodology →