Proverbs 23:9

In 11 translations

BSB

Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

KJV

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

WEB

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

ASV

Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

LSV

Do not speak in the ears of a fool, || For he treads on the wisdom of your words.

YLT

In the ears of a fool speak not, For he treadeth on the wisdom of thy words.

DBY

Speak not in the ears of a foolish [man], for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

DRC

Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.

GNV

Speake not in the eares of a foole: for hee will despise the wisdome of thy wordes.

JPS

Speak not in the ears of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

LXXE

Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ׃

LXX-Br

Εἰς ὦτα ἄφρονος μηδὲν λέγε, μήποτε μυκτηρίσῃ τοὺς συνετοὺς λόγους σου.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Proverbs 9:7–8He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
• Matthew 7:6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
• Proverbs 26:4–5Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
• Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
• Isaiah 36:21But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
• Acts 28:25–28They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be…
• John 10:20Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
• Acts 17:32When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
• Acts 13:45–46But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you…
• John 8:52“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.
• 1 Corinthians 1:21–24For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but…
• Acts 17:18Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was…
• John 9:30–34“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.…
• Luke 16:14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
• John 9:40Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?”
• 1 Corinthians 4:10–13We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated,…

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).