Proverbs 23:9
Good News Translation
Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, who will only despise the wisdom of your words.

Contemporary English Version
Don't talk to fools--they will make fun of you.

New American Bible
Do not speak in the hearing of fools; they will despise the wisdom of your words.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.

speak

Proverbs 9:7,8 Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. . . .

Proverbs 26:4,5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him. . . .

Isaiah 36:21 And they held their peace, and answered him not a word. For the king had commanded, saying: Answer him not.

Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.

Acts 13:45,46 And the Jews, seeing the multitudes, were filled with envy and contradicted those things which were said by Paul, blaspheming. . . .

Acts 28:25-28 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet, . . .

he

Luke 16:14 Now the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

John 8:52 The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death for ever.

John 9:30-34,40 The man answered and said to them: why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes. . . .

John 10:20 And many of them said: He hath a devil and is mad. Why hear you him?

Acts 17:18,32 And certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics disputed with him. And some said: What is it that this word sower would say? But others: He seemeth to be a setter forth of new gods. Because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. . . .

1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. . . .

1 Corinthians 4:10-13 We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are weak, but you are strong: you are honourable, but we without honour. . . .

Context
True Riches
8The meats which thou hadst eaten, thou shalt vomit up: and shalt loose thy beautiful words. 9Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.10Touch not the bounds of little ones: and enter not into the field of the fatherless:…
Cross References
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.

Proverbs 1:7
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 9:7
Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 14:7
Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.

Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.

Proverbs 23:8
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