Proverbs 26:3
1 Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
- KJV
- A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
- WEB
- A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
- ASV
- A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
- DARBY
- A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
- BLB
- A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
- ÅB
- Svepe for hesten, tømme for eselet, og kjepp for dårers rygg!
- OTB
- Pisken for hesten, bisselen for eselet, og staven for dårers rygg.
- B1930
- Svepe for hesten, tømme for asenet, og kjepp for dårers rygg!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 10:13
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
Read in context1 Corinthians 4:21
Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Read in contextPsalms 32:9
Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
Read in contextJudges 8:5–7
So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
Read in context2 Corinthians 13:2
I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
Read in contextProverbs 27:22
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
Read in contextProverbs 19:25
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
Read in context2 Corinthians 10:6
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.
Read in context