Other translations
New Catholic Bible
Do not speak often with a fool, or visit a stupid person. [For since he is without sense, he will despise everything about you.] Beware of him or you may find yourself in trouble and be splattered by contact with him. Avoid him and you will have peace of mind and not be exasperated by his lack of sense.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Do not talk much with a senseless person or visit an unintelligent person. Stay clear of him, or you may have trouble, and be spattered when he shakes himself off. Avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his lack of sense.
Good News Translation®
Don't visit stupid people or spend a lot of time talking with them. Avoid them; then they can't contaminate you, and you can live in peace without being troubled or worn down by their foolishness.
Wycliffe Bible
Speak thou not much with a fool, and go thou not with an unwise man. Keep thee from him, (so) that thou have not dis-ease [or grief]; and thou shalt not be defouled in the sin of him. Bow thou away from him, and thou shalt find rest; and be thou not annoyed by his folly.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Do not talk much with senseless people or visit unintelligent people. Stay clear of them, or you may have trouble and be spattered when they shake themselves off. Avoid them and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by their lack of sense.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Do not talk much with a senseless person or visit an unintelligent person. Stay clear of him, or you may have trouble, and be spattered when he shakes himself. Avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his lack of sense.
Common English Bible © 2011
Don’t talk a lot with fools, and don’t go to the unintelligent. Be on guard against them so that you don’t have trouble and don’t get dirty when they shake themselves off. Stay away from them and you will find rest, and their senselessness won’t make you weary.
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Do not talk much with the stupid, or visit the unintelligent. Beware of them lest you have trouble and be spattered when they shake themselves off. Avoid them and you will find rest and not be wearied by their lack of sense.
Revised Standard Version
Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Do not talk much with a senseless person or visit an unintelligent person. Stay clear of him, or you may have trouble, and be spattered when he shakes himself. Avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his lack of sense.