Proverbs 26:16
New International Version
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.

New Living Translation
Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.

English Standard Version
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Berean Standard Bible
The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.

King James Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

New King James Version
The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

New American Standard Bible
A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.

NASB 1995
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

NASB 1977
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

Legacy Standard Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can respond with a discreet answer.

Amplified Bible
The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.

Christian Standard Bible
In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven men who can answer sensibly.

American Standard Version
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

Contemporary English Version
A lazy person says, "I am smarter than everyone else."

English Revised Version
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give a sensible answer.

Good News Translation
A lazy person will think he is smarter than seven men who can give good reasons for their opinions.

International Standard Version
The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.

Majority Standard Bible
The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.

NET Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.

New Heart English Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

Webster's Bible Translation
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

World English Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, "" Than seven [men] returning a reason.

Young's Literal Translation
Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.

Smith's Literal Translation
The slothful one is wise in his eyes more than seven turning back a reason.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.

New American Bible
In their own eyes sluggards are wiser than seven who answer with good judgment.

New Revised Standard Version
The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem than seven who can answer discreetly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men with good reasoning.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who make sense.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men that give wise answer.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
15The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. 17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.…

Cross References
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

Ecclesiastes 10:3
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Jeremiah 8:8-9
How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? / The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

Romans 1:22
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

1 Corinthians 3:18-19
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

James 3:13-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...

Matthew 7:26
But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Matthew 23:24
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.


Treasury of Scripture

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

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Able Conceit Discreet Discreetly Discretion Eyes Good Hater Reason Render Returning Seems Seven Slothful Sluggard Wise Wiser Work
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Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














The sluggard
The Hebrew word for "sluggard" is "עָצֵל" (ʿāṣēl), which refers to a person who is habitually lazy or idle. In the context of Proverbs, the sluggard is often depicted as someone who avoids work and responsibility, leading to poverty and disgrace. The sluggard's lifestyle is contrasted with the diligence and industriousness that are commended throughout the book. This term serves as a warning against the spiritual and practical dangers of laziness, urging believers to embrace a life of purpose and action.

is wiser in his own eyes
This phrase highlights the self-deception and pride of the sluggard. The Hebrew word for "wiser" is "חָכָם" (ḥākām), which typically denotes wisdom and skill. However, in this context, it is used ironically to emphasize the sluggard's inflated self-perception. The phrase "in his own eyes" suggests a subjective and misguided view of oneself, disconnected from reality. This self-deception is a common theme in Proverbs, warning against the dangers of pride and the importance of humility and self-awareness.

than seven men
The number seven in biblical literature often symbolizes completeness or perfection. Here, it underscores the contrast between the sluggard's self-perceived wisdom and the genuine wisdom of others. The use of "seven men" suggests a group of individuals who collectively possess a fullness of understanding and insight. This comparison serves to highlight the absurdity of the sluggard's arrogance, as he considers himself superior to a complete and balanced perspective.

who answer discreetly
The Hebrew word for "discreetly" is "טַעַם" (ṭaʿam), which can mean taste, judgment, or discernment. It implies a thoughtful and measured response, characterized by wisdom and prudence. Those who "answer discreetly" are individuals who possess true understanding and the ability to provide sound counsel. This phrase emphasizes the value of discernment and the importance of seeking wise counsel, contrasting sharply with the sluggard's baseless self-assurance.

(16) Seven men.--A round number. (Comp. Proverbs 26:25; Proverbs 6:31; Proverbs 24:16.)

That can render a reason--i.e., give a sensible judgment on any matter submitted to them.

Verse 16. - The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit. The sluggard is here one who is too idle to think a matter out, and considers his own cursory view as sure to be right. He is one who deems study to be an unnecessary weariness of the flesh (Ecclesiastes 12:12), and flatters himself that he is quite able without it to give a satisfactory account of any question presented to him. Than seven men that can render a reason. "Seven" is the number of completeness (comp. Proverbs 6:31; Proverbs 9:1; Proverbs 24:16). The idle fool sets more value by his own judgment than by the sense of any number of wise men. Revised Version margin, "that can answer discreetly," is perhaps nearer the Hebrew, which implies the being able to return a wise and proper answer to anything asked of them. The LXX. reading a little differently, renders, "Wiser seems a sluggard to himself than one who in satiety (ἐν πλησμονῇ) brings back a message." This is explained to mean that a sluggard thinks himself wise in not helping a neighbour with an errand or a message, though he would have probably been repaid with a good dinner for his kindness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The sluggard
עָצֵ֣ל (‘ā·ṣêl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6102: Sluggish, lazy

[is] wiser
חָכָ֣ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

in his own eyes
בְּעֵינָ֑יו (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

than seven men
מִ֝שִּׁבְעָ֗ה (miš·šiḇ·‘āh)
Preposition-m | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

who answer
מְשִׁ֣יבֵי (mə·šî·ḇê)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

discreetly.
טָֽעַם׃ (ṭā·‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2940: A taste, perception, intelligence, a mandate


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:15
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