Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. New Living Translation If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. English Standard Version If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. Berean Standard Bible If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. King James Bible If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. New King James Version If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. New American Standard Bible When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person, The foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. NASB 1995 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. NASB 1977 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. Legacy Standard Bible When a wise man is brought into judgment with a man who is an ignorant fool, The ignorant fool both rages and laughs, and there is no rest. Amplified Bible If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish and arrogant man, The foolish man [ignores logic and fairness and] only rages or laughs, and there is no peace (rest, agreement). Christian Standard Bible If a wise person goes to court with a fool, there will be ranting and raving but no resolution. Holman Christian Standard Bible If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be ranting and raving but no resolution. American Standard Version If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. Contemporary English Version Be wise and don't sue a fool. You won't get satisfaction, because all the fool will do is sneer and shout. English Revised Version If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. GOD'S WORD® Translation When a wise person goes to court with a stubborn fool, he may rant and rave, but there is no peace and quiet. Good News Translation When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive. International Standard Version When a wise man has a dispute with a fool, the fool either rages or laughs without relief. Majority Standard Bible If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. NET Bible If a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs. New Heart English Bible If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace. Webster's Bible Translation If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rageth or laugheth, there is no rest. World English Bible If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA wise man is judged by the foolish man, "" And he has been angry, "" And he has laughed, and there is no rest. Young's Literal Translation A wise man is judged by the foolish man, And he hath been angry, And he hath laughed, and there is no rest. Smith's Literal Translation A wise man contending with a foolish man and raging and laughing, and no rest. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry or laugh, he shall find no rest. Catholic Public Domain Version A wise man, if he were to contend with the foolish, whether in anger or in laughter, would find no rest. New American Bible If a wise person disputes with a fool, there is railing and ridicule but no resolution. New Revised Standard Version If the wise go to law with fools, there is ranting and ridicule without relief. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA wise man contends with a fool, and when he is angry, he laughs and does not scoff. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A wise man debates with a fool, and he is passionate and laughs and is not enraged. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. Brenton Septuagint Translation A wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man being angry laughs and fears not. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed…8Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.… Cross References Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool. Matthew 7:6 Do 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. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ... Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. / And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. Proverbs 26:4-5 Do 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. James 1:19-20 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. Proverbs 17:12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Proverbs 18:6-7 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. / A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Romans 12:18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Proverbs 20:3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. Proverbs 14:7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Treasury of Scripture If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Jump to Previous Angry Argument Contendeth Controversy Court Either Fool Foolish Goes Judged Laugh Law Peace Quiet Rage Rages Rageth Rest Scoffs Whether WiseJump to Next Angry Argument Contendeth Controversy Court Either Fool Foolish Goes Judged Laugh Law Peace Quiet Rage Rages Rageth Rest Scoffs Whether WiseProverbs 29 1. observations of public government15. and of private 22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption If a wise man The term "wise man" in Hebrew is "חָכָם" (chakam), which denotes someone who possesses not only knowledge but also the ability to apply it judiciously. In the biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). A wise man is one who seeks to live according to God's principles, demonstrating discernment and understanding in his actions and decisions. goes to court with a fool there will be raving and laughing with no resolution Persons / Places / Events 1. Wise ManRepresents someone who is discerning, prudent, and guided by godly wisdom. In the context of Proverbs, the wise person seeks to live according to God's principles. 2. Fool In biblical terms, a fool is someone who rejects wisdom and understanding, often characterized by a lack of moral insight and a tendency to act rashly or without consideration of consequences. 3. Court Symbolizes a place of judgment or decision-making. In ancient times, this could refer to a formal legal setting or any situation where disputes are resolved. 4. Raving and Laughing These reactions indicate chaos and mockery, suggesting that the fool does not take the situation seriously and disrupts any attempt at a rational resolution. 5. Resolution The desired outcome of a dispute, which is hindered by the fool's behavior, highlighting the futility of engaging in serious matters with someone who lacks understanding. Teaching Points Discernment in EngagementBelievers should exercise discernment when choosing to engage in disputes or discussions, recognizing when it may be futile to argue with someone who is not open to wisdom. The Nature of Foolishness Understanding the characteristics of foolishness can help believers avoid being drawn into fruitless arguments and focus on productive conversations. Seeking Godly Wisdom Pursuing godly wisdom is essential for navigating conflicts and making sound decisions, as it helps distinguish between worthwhile engagements and those that lead to chaos. The Importance of Resolution Strive for resolution in conflicts, but recognize that it may not always be possible when dealing with those who reject wisdom. Guarding Our Witness Engaging in fruitless disputes can damage our Christian witness. It is important to maintain a testimony that reflects Christ's wisdom and peace.(9) Whether he rage or laugh--i.e., whether the wise man treat him with sternness or good temper, yet "there is no rest," the fool will not cease from his folly; or, the sense may be, "the fool rages and laughs;" he will not listen quietly to argument, by which he might be brought to wisdom, but is either violent or supercilious.Verse 9. - If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man - if a wise man has a controversy, either legal or social, with a wicked fool - whether he rage (is angry) or laugh, there is no rest. It is a question whether the wise man or the fool is the subject of this clause. St. Jerome makes the former the subject, Vir sapiens, si cum stulto contenderit, sive irascatur, sive rideat, non inveniet requiem. It matters not how the wise man treats the fool; he may be stern and angry, he may be gentle and good tempered, yet the fool will be none the better, will not be reformed, will not cease from his folly, will carry on his cavilling contention. Hitzig, Delitzsch, and others, deeming that the rage and the laughter are not becoming to the character of the wise man, take the fool as the subject; so that the sense is, that after all has been said, the fool only falls into a passion or laughs at the matter, argument is wasted upon him, and the controversy is never settled. This seems to be the best interpretation, and is somewhat supported by the Septuagint, "A wise man shall judge the nations, but a worthless man, being angry, laughs and fears not [καταγελᾶται καὶ οὐ καταπτήσσει, which may also mean, 'is derided and terrifies no one']." Wordsworth notes that the irreligious fool is won neither by the austere preaching of John the Baptist nor by the mild teaching of Christ, but rejects both (Matthew 11:16-19). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew If a wiseחָכָ֗ם (ḥā·ḵām) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise man אִֽישׁ־ (’îš-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person goes to court נִ֭שְׁפָּט (niš·pāṭ) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among a fool, אֱוִ֑יל (’ĕ·wîl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 191: Foolish there will be raving וְרָגַ֥ז (wə·rā·ḡaz) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7264: To be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed and laughing וְ֝שָׂחַ֗ק (wə·śā·ḥaq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play with no וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle resolution. נָֽחַת׃ (nā·ḥaṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5183: A descent, imposition, unfavorable, favorable, restfulness Links Proverbs 29:9 NIVProverbs 29:9 NLT Proverbs 29:9 ESV Proverbs 29:9 NASB Proverbs 29:9 KJV Proverbs 29:9 BibleApps.com Proverbs 29:9 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 29:9 Chinese Bible Proverbs 29:9 French Bible Proverbs 29:9 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man goes to court (Prov. Pro Pr) |
    |