New International VersionEven fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
New Living TranslationEven fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
English Standard VersionEven a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Berean Standard BibleEven a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
King James BibleEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:
and he that shutteth his lips
is esteemed a man of understanding.
New King James VersionEven a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips,
he is considered perceptive.
New American Standard BibleEven a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is
considered prudent.
NASB 1995Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
NASB 1977Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is
counted prudent.
Legacy Standard BibleEven an ignorant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is
considered understanding.
Amplified BibleEven 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.
Christian Standard BibleEven a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent — discerning, when he seals his lips.
Holman Christian Standard BibleEven a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips.
American Standard VersionEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
Contemporary English VersionEven fools seem smart when they are quiet.
English Revised VersionEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationEven a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.
Good News TranslationAfter all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.
International Standard VersionEven a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.
NET BibleEven a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.
New Heart English BibleEven a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Webster's Bible TranslationEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard BibleEven a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
World English BibleEven a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard VersionEven a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, "" He who is shutting his lips [seems] intelligent!
Young's Literal Translation Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
Smith's Literal TranslationAlso the foolish one being silent shall be thought wise: and he shutting his lips, understanding.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims BibleEven a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
Catholic Public Domain VersionIf he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
New American BibleEven fools, keeping silent, are considered wise; if they keep their lips closed, intelligent.
New Revised Standard VersionEven fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa BibleEven a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; and he who shuts his lips is counted a man of understanding.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedA madman who is silent is considered a wise person, and he that keeps his lips silent is considered intelligent.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationWisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
Additional Translations ...