Modern Translations New International VersionEven fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. New Living Translation Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. English Standard Version Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Berean Study Bible Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. New American Standard Bible Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. NASB 1995 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. NASB 1977 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is counted prudent. Amplified Bible Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding. Christian Standard Bible Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent — discerning, when he seals his lips. Holman Christian Standard Bible Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips. Contemporary English Version Even fools seem smart when they are quiet. Good News Translation After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut. GOD'S WORD® Translation Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed. International Standard Version Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut. NET Bible Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning. Classic Translations King James BibleEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. New King James Version Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. King James 2000 Bible Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. New Heart English Bible Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. World English Bible Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. American King James Version Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. American Standard Version Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent. A Faithful Version Even a fool, when he is silent, is counted wise, and he who shuts his lips is counted as a man of understanding. Darby Bible Translation Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent. English Revised Version Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent. Webster's Bible Translation Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Early Modern Geneva Bible of 1587Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent. Bishops' Bible of 1568 Yea, a very foole when he holdeth his tongue is counted wise: and he that stoppeth his lippes is esteemed prudent. Coverdale Bible of 1535 Yee a very foole (when he holdeth his tonge) is counted wyse, and to haue vnderstodinge, when he shutteth his lippes. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEven a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, "" He who is shutting his lips [seems] intelligent! Young's Literal Translation Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent! Smith's Literal Translation Also the foolish one being silent shall be thought wise: and he shutting his lips, understanding. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEven a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding. Catholic Public Domain Version If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent. Translations from Aramaic Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedA madman who is silent is considered a wise person, and he that keeps his lips silent is considered intelligent. Lamsa Bible Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; and he who shuts his lips is counted a man of understanding. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding. Brenton Septuagint Translation Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.     |