Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. New Living Translation Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. English Standard Version If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Berean Standard Bible He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. King James Bible He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. New King James Version He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. New American Standard Bible One who gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him. NASB 1995 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. NASB 1977 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. Legacy Standard Bible He who responds with a word before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. Amplified Bible He who answers before he hears [the facts]— It is folly and shame to him. Christian Standard Bible The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him. Holman Christian Standard Bible The one who gives an answer before he listens— this is foolishness and disgrace for him. American Standard Version He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him. Contemporary English Version It's stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen. English Revised Version He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful. Good News Translation Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting. International Standard Version Whoever answers before listening is both foolish and shameful. Majority Standard Bible He who answers a matter before he hears it?this is folly and disgrace to him. NET Bible The one who gives an answer before he listens--that is his folly and his shame. New Heart English Bible He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. Webster's Bible Translation He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him. World English Bible He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhoever is answering a matter before he hears, "" It is folly to him—and shame. Young's Literal Translation Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame. Smith's Literal Translation He turning back the word before he shall hear it, is folly and shame to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion. New American Bible Whoever answers before listening, theirs is folly and shame. New Revised Standard Version If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who gives answer before he hears is a fool and a reviler. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He that gives an answer before he hears is a fool, and is brought to shame. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and confusion unto him. Brenton Septuagint Translation Whoso answers a word before he hears a cause, it is folly and reproach to him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Selfishness of the Unfriendly…12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him. 14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?… Cross References James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, John 7:51 “Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?” Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. / Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Job 29:16 I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger. Proverbs 25:8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 17:27-28 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. / Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. James 3:1-2 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. / We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. 1 Samuel 25:10-11 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. / Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?” Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. Isaiah 11:3-4 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. Treasury of Scripture He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. that Deuteronomy 13:14 Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; 2 Samuel 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. 2 Samuel 19:24-30 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace… answereth a matter; returneth a word. Jump to Previous Answers Cause Confusion Folly Foolish Gives Heareth Hearing Hears Listening Matter ShameJump to Next Answers Cause Confusion Folly Foolish Gives Heareth Hearing Hears Listening Matter ShameProverbs 18 1. A fool delights not in understandingHe who answers a matter before he hears it— This phrase emphasizes the importance of listening before speaking, a principle deeply rooted in biblical wisdom literature. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, where oral communication was paramount, listening was a critical skill. The Hebrew culture valued the role of elders and wise counselors, who were expected to listen carefully before giving advice or making judgments. This principle is echoed in James 1:19, which advises believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak." The act of answering prematurely is seen as a failure to exercise discernment and patience, virtues highly esteemed in the biblical tradition. this is folly and disgrace to him. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms and values of ancient Israel can help us grasp the full meaning of the text. 3. The Fool A recurring character in Proverbs, representing someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often acting impulsively or without knowledge. Teaching Points The Importance of ListeningListening is a crucial skill for gaining understanding and wisdom. By truly hearing others, we can respond appropriately and avoid misunderstandings. The Consequences of Hasty Speech Speaking without full knowledge can lead to embarrassment and damage to one's reputation. It is wise to gather all information before forming a response. Cultivating Patience in Communication Patience allows us to process information thoroughly and respond thoughtfully. This aligns with the biblical call to be slow to speak. The Role of Humility in Dialogue Humility helps us recognize that we do not have all the answers and need to listen to others. This attitude fosters better relationships and understanding. Wisdom in Seeking Counsel Seeking advice and listening to others' perspectives can provide valuable insights and prevent us from making foolish decisions.(13) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it . . .--Comp. Ecclesiasticus 11:8.Verse 13. - He that answereth a matter, etc. Thus Ecclus. 11:8, "Answer not before thou hast heard the, cause; neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk." A reminiscence of the passage occurs in the Talmud ('Aboth.' 5. 10), "I weighed all things in the balance, and found nothing lighter than meal; lighter than meal is the betrothed man who dwells in the house of his intended father-in-law; lighter than he is a guest who introduces a friend; and lighter than he is the man who answers before he has heard the other's speech" (Dukes, p. 72, § 21). So Menander - Ὁ προκαταγιγνώσκων δὲ πρὶν ἀκοῦσαι σαφῶς "Qui statuit aliquid, parte inaudita altera, Hebrew He who answersמֵשִׁ֣יב (mê·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again a matter דָּ֭בָר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause before בְּטֶ֣רֶם (bə·ṭe·rem) Preposition-b | Adverb Strong's 2962: Non-occurrence, not yet, before he hears [it]— יִשְׁמָ֑ע (yiš·mā‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently this הִיא־ (hî-) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are [is] folly אִוֶּ֥לֶת (’iw·we·leṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 200: Silliness and disgrace וּכְלִמָּֽה׃ (ū·ḵə·lim·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3639: Insult, reproach, ignominy to him. ל֝֗וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew Links Proverbs 18:13 NIVProverbs 18:13 NLT Proverbs 18:13 ESV Proverbs 18:13 NASB Proverbs 18:13 KJV Proverbs 18:13 BibleApps.com Proverbs 18:13 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 18:13 Chinese Bible Proverbs 18:13 French Bible Proverbs 18:13 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:13 He who gives answer before he hears (Prov. 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