What Does the Bible Say About Fool?
Here are 17 Bible verses about fool, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 18:2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
BSBA fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
- #2Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
BSBA fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- #3Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
BSBThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- #4Proverbs 18:6
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
BSBA fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
- #5Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
BSBIf a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
- #6Matthew 5:22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
BSBBut I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- #7Proverbs 28:26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
BSBHe who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
- #8Proverbs 26:19
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
BSBso is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
- #9Proverbs 18:7
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
BSBA fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
- #10Proverbs 10:23
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
BSBThe fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
- #11Proverbs 14:7-9
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
BSBStay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
- #12Proverbs 26:3-12
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. …
BSBA whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. …
- #13Proverbs 14:16
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
BSBA wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.
- #14Titus 3:1-11
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; …
BSBRemind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, …
- #15Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
BSBEven a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
- #16Proverbs 23:9
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
BSBDo not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
- #17Psalms 14:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
BSBFor the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).