Other translations
American Standard Version
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
A madman who is silent is considered a wise person, and he that keeps his lips silent is considered intelligent.
Darby Bible Translation
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, and he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Genuine Leather Black)
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
ERV 1885 English Revised Version with Strong's Concordance
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
English Standard Version Journaling Bible
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
God's Word
Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips.
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.
New American Standard Bible
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
New International Version
Even 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.
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.
The World English Bible
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
EasyEnglish Bible
Even a fool seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. If he keeps his mouth shut, people will think that he is clever.
Young‘s Literal Translation
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
New Life Version
Even a fool, when he keeps quiet, is thought to be wise. When he closes his lips, he is thought of as a man of understanding.
The Voice Bible
Even a fool who keeps quiet is considered wise, for when he keeps his mouth shut, he appears clever.
Living Bible
The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore, even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut.
New Catholic Bible
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent.
Legacy Standard Bible
Even an ignorant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered understanding.
Jubilee Bible 2000
Even a fool, when he is silent is counted wise, and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Christian Standard Bible
Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent— discerning, when he seals his lips.
Amplified Bible © 1954
Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.
New Century Version
Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet; if they don’t speak, they appear to understand.
The Message
Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they’re smart.
Evangelical Heritage Version ™
Even a stubborn fool who keeps silent will be considered wise. He is considered to be perceptive if he keeps his lips shut.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
Good News Translation®
After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.
Wycliffe Bible
Also a fool, if he is still, shall be guessed a wise man (Even a fool, if he is silent, shall be thought to be wise); and, if he presseth together his lips, he is guessed an understanding man.
Contemporary English Version
Even fools seem smart when they are quiet.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
Common English Bible © 2011
Fools who keep quiet are deemed wise; those who shut their lips are smart.
Amplified Bible © 2015
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.
English Standard Version Anglicised
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Even fools, keeping silent, are considered wise; if they keep their lips closed, intelligent.
New American Standard Bible
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
The Expanded Bible
Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet; if they ·don’t speak [L keep their lips shut], they appear to understand.
Tree of Life Version
Even a fool, who keeps quiet, is considered wise, discerning, if he seals his lips.
Revised Standard Version
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
New International Reader's Version
We think even foolish people are wise if they keep silent. We think they understand what is right if they control their tongues.
BRG Bible
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Complete Jewish Bible
Even a fool, if he stays silent, is thought wise; he who keeps his mouth shut can pass for smart.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
Orthodox Jewish Bible
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted chacham, and he that shutteth his sfatayim (lips) is esteemed a man of understanding.
Names of God Bible
Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.
Modern English Version
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise; and he who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Easy-to-Read Version
Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.
International Children’s Bible
Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He appears to have understanding if he doesn’t speak.
Lexham English Bible
Even a fool who keeps silent shall be considered wise; he who closes his lips is intelligent.
New International Version - UK
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.