Proverbs 26:3
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
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
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Read in context1 Corinthians 4:21
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Read in contextPsalms 32:9
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Read in contextJudges 8:5–7
And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
Read in context2 Corinthians 13:2
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
Read in contextProverbs 27:22
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Read in contextProverbs 19:25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
Read in context2 Corinthians 10:6
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Read in context