Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, July 26th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Bishop's Bible
1 Kings 20:11
And the king of Israel aunswered, and sayd: Tell him, let not him that putteth on his harnesse boast him selfe, as he that putteth it of.
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
The king of Israel answered, “Say this: ‘Don’t let the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’”
The king of Israel answered, “Say this: ‘Don’t let the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’”
Hebrew Names Version
The king of Yisra'el answered, Tell him, Don't let him who girds on [his armor] boast himself as he who puts it off.
The king of Yisra'el answered, Tell him, Don't let him who girds on [his armor] boast himself as he who puts it off.
King James Version
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
English Standard Version
And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.'"
And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.'"
New Century Version
Ahab answered, "Tell Ben-Hadad, ‘The man who puts on his armor should not brag. It's the man who lives to take it off who has the right to brag.'"
Ahab answered, "Tell Ben-Hadad, ‘The man who puts on his armor should not brag. It's the man who lives to take it off who has the right to brag.'"
New English Translation
The king of Israel replied, "Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off."
The king of Israel replied, "Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off."
Amplified Bible
The king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'A man who puts on [his armor to go to battle] should not boast like the man who takes it off [after the battle has been won].'"
The king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'A man who puts on [his armor to go to battle] should not boast like the man who takes it off [after the battle has been won].'"
New American Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel replied, "Tell him, 'He who straps on his weapons had better not boast like one who takes them off.'"
Then the king of Israel replied, "Tell him, 'He who straps on his weapons had better not boast like one who takes them off.'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the King of Israel answered, and sayd, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth his harneis, boast himselfe, as he that putteth it off.
And the King of Israel answered, and sayd, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth his harneis, boast himselfe, as he that putteth it off.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel answered and said, "Speak to him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.'"
Then the king of Israel answered and said, "Speak to him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.'"
Contemporary English Version
Ahab then answered, "Benhadad, don't brag before the fighting even begins. Wait and see if you live through it."
Ahab then answered, "Benhadad, don't brag before the fighting even begins. Wait and see if you live through it."
Complete Jewish Bible
The king of Isra'el answered, "Tell him: ‘He who is putting on his armor shouldn't boast as if he were taking it off!'"
The king of Isra'el answered, "Tell him: ‘He who is putting on his armor shouldn't boast as if he were taking it off!'"
Darby Translation
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on boast himself as he that putteth off!
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on boast himself as he that putteth off!
Easy-to-Read Version
King Ahab answered, "Tell Ben-Hadad that the man who puts on his armor should not boast as much as the man who lives long enough to take it off."
King Ahab answered, "Tell Ben-Hadad that the man who puts on his armor should not boast as much as the man who lives long enough to take it off."
George Lamsa Translation
And the king of Israel answered and said, Let him talk; nevertheless, the one who ties a knot is not more able than the one who can untie it.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Let him talk; nevertheless, the one who ties a knot is not more able than the one who can untie it.
Good News Translation
King Ahab answered, "Tell King Benhadad that a real soldier does his bragging after a battle, not before it."
King Ahab answered, "Tell King Benhadad that a real soldier does his bragging after a battle, not before it."
Lexham English Bible
The king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast as one who takes off his armor.'"
The king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who girds on his armor boast as one who takes off his armor.'"
Literal Translation
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him , Do not let him that girds on boast himself like one who loosens his armor .
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him , Do not let him that girds on boast himself like one who loosens his armor .
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But ye kynge of Israel answered, & sayde: Tell him, Let not him yt putteth on ye harnes, make his boast like him yt hath put it of
But ye kynge of Israel answered, & sayde: Tell him, Let not him yt putteth on ye harnes, make his boast like him yt hath put it of
American Standard Version
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his armor boast himself as he that putteth it off.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his armor boast himself as he that putteth it off.
Bible in Basic English
And the king of Israel said in answer, Say to him, The time for loud talk is not when a man is putting on his arms, but when he is taking them off.
And the king of Israel said in answer, Say to him, The time for loud talk is not when a man is putting on his arms, but when he is taking them off.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the king of Israel answered and said: 'Tell him: Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off.'
And the king of Israel answered and said: 'Tell him: Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off.'
King James Version (1611)
And the king of Israel answered, and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harnesse, boast himselfe, as he that putteth it off.
And the king of Israel answered, and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harnesse, boast himselfe, as he that putteth it off.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the men of his city, the elders, and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezabel sent to them, and as it had been written in the letters which she sent to them.
And the men of his city, the elders, and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezabel sent to them, and as it had been written in the letters which she sent to them.
English Revised Version
And the king of Israel answered and said, tell him, Let not him that girdeth on [his armour] boast himself as he that putteth it off.
And the king of Israel answered and said, tell him, Let not him that girdeth on [his armour] boast himself as he that putteth it off.
Berean Standard Bible
And the king of Israel replied, "Tell him: 'The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.'"
And the king of Israel replied, "Tell him: 'The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the kyng of Israel answeride, and seide, Seie ye to hym, A gird man, `that is, he that goith to batel, haue not glorie euenli as a man vngird.
And the kyng of Israel answeride, and seide, Seie ye to hym, A gird man, `that is, he that goith to batel, haue not glorie euenli as a man vngird.
Young's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel answereth and saith, `Speak ye: let not him who is girding on boast himself as him who is loosing [his armour].'
And the king of Israel answereth and saith, `Speak ye: let not him who is girding on boast himself as him who is loosing [his armour].'
Update Bible Version
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Don't let him that girds on [his armor] boast himself as he that puts it off.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Don't let him that girds on [his armor] boast himself as he that puts it off.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off.
World English Bible
The king of Israel answered, Tell him, Don't let him who girds on [his armor] boast himself as he who puts it off.
The king of Israel answered, Tell him, Don't let him who girds on [his armor] boast himself as he who puts it off.
New King James Version
So the king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, "Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off."'
So the king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, "Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off."'
New Living Translation
The king of Israel sent back this answer: "A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won."
The king of Israel sent back this answer: "A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won."
New Life Bible
The king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who dresses in battle-clothes talk with pride like him who takes them off.'"
The king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, ‘Let not him who dresses in battle-clothes talk with pride like him who takes them off.'"
New Revised Standard
The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: One who puts on armor should not brag like one who takes it off."
The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: One who puts on armor should not brag like one who takes it off."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And the king of Israel responded and said: Tell him, - Let not, him that girdeth, boast himself like him, that looseneth.
And the king of Israel responded and said: Tell him, - Let not, him that girdeth, boast himself like him, that looseneth.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king of Israel answering, said: Tell him: Let not the girded boast himself as the ungirded.
And the king of Israel answering, said: Tell him: Let not the girded boast himself as the ungirded.
Revised Standard Version
And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'Let not him that girds on his armor boast himself as he that puts it off.'"
And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'Let not him that girds on his armor boast himself as he that puts it off.'"
THE MESSAGE
The king of Israel countered, "Think about it—it's easier to start a fight than end one."
The king of Israel countered, "Think about it—it's easier to start a fight than end one."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the king of Israel replied, "Tell him, 'Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.'"
Then the king of Israel replied, "Tell him, 'Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.'"
Contextual Overview
1 And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his hoast together, hauing thirtie & two kinges with him, and horses and charets: and went vp and besieged Samaria, & warred against it. 2 And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the citie, and sayde vnto him, thus saith Benhadad. 3 Thy siluer & thy gold is myne, & the fayrest of thy wiues & of thy childre be mine. 4 And the king of Israel aunswered and said: My lord king, according to thy saying, I am thyne and all that I haue. 5 And when the messengers came againe, they sayd, thus sayth Benhadad: Forasmuch as I haue sent vnto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliuer me thy siluer and thy golde, and thy wyues, and thy children: 6 I will therfore send my seruauntes vnto thee to morowe this time: and they shall searche thyne house, & the houses of thy seruauntes, and whatsoeuer is pleasaunt in thyne eyes, they shall take it in their handes, and bring it away. 7 Then the king of Israel sent for all the elders of the land, and said: Take heede I pray you, and see howe this felowe goeth about mischiefe: For he sent vnto me for my wiues, for my children, for my siluer, and for my golde, and I denyed him not. 8 And all the elders and all the people said: Hearken not vnto him, nor consent. 9 Wherfore he sayde vnto the messengers of Benhadad: Tell my lord the king, all that thou dyddest send for to thy seruaut at the first time, that I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought aunswere againe. 10 And Benhadad sent vnto him againe, and sayde: Thus and thus do the gods vnto me, if the dust of Samaria be enough for al the people that folowe me, to take euery man an handfull.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Let not him: etc. This was no doubt a proverbial mode of expression. Jonathan renders it: "Let not him who girds himself, and goes down to battle, boast as one who has conquered and returned from it." 1 Samuel 14:6, 1 Samuel 14:12, 1 Samuel 14:13, 1 Samuel 17:44-47, Proverbs 27:1, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Isaiah 10:15, Isaiah 10:16, Matthew 26:33-35, Matthew 26:75
harness: The word harness is an obsolete word for armour, derived from the French harnois. See note on Exodus 13:18.
Reciprocal: Judges 4:10 - at his Judges 8:6 - General Judges 8:24 - because Judges 9:29 - would to God 2 Samuel 2:31 - three hundred 1 Kings 20:16 - Benhadad 2 Kings 3:21 - put on armour Job 41:8 - General Psalms 10:5 - he puffeth Proverbs 14:16 - the fool Isaiah 8:9 - gird Jeremiah 9:23 - neither Daniel 3:19 - he spake Matthew 26:40 - What Luke 14:31 - General Romans 1:30 - boasters Romans 11:18 - Boast not 1 Corinthians 13:4 - vaunteth not itself
Cross-References
Genesis 12:12
Therfore shall it come to passe, that when the Egyptians see thee, they shall say, she is his wyfe, and they wyll kyll me, but they wyll saue thee aliue:
Therfore shall it come to passe, that when the Egyptians see thee, they shall say, she is his wyfe, and they wyll kyll me, but they wyll saue thee aliue:
Genesis 20:1
And Abraham departed thence towarde the south countrey, & dwelled betweene Cades and Sur, and soiourned in Gerar.
And Abraham departed thence towarde the south countrey, & dwelled betweene Cades and Sur, and soiourned in Gerar.
Genesis 20:4
But Abimelech had not yet touched her: and he sayde, Lorde wylt thou slay ryghteous people?
But Abimelech had not yet touched her: and he sayde, Lorde wylt thou slay ryghteous people?
Genesis 22:12
And he sayde: lay not thy hande vpon the chylde, neyther do any thyng vnto hym, for nowe I knowe that thou fearest God, & hast for my sake not spared [yea] thine onlye sonne.
And he sayde: lay not thy hande vpon the chylde, neyther do any thyng vnto hym, for nowe I knowe that thou fearest God, & hast for my sake not spared [yea] thine onlye sonne.
Genesis 26:7
And the men of the place asked [him] of his wyfe. And he sayde, she is my sister: for he feared to say, she is my wyfe, lest the men of the place shoulde haue kylled hym, because of Rebecca, whiche was beautifull to the eye.
And the men of the place asked [him] of his wyfe. And he sayde, she is my sister: for he feared to say, she is my wyfe, lest the men of the place shoulde haue kylled hym, because of Rebecca, whiche was beautifull to the eye.
Genesis 42:18
And Ioseph said vnto them the thirde day: this do & liue, [for] I feare God.
And Ioseph said vnto them the thirde day: this do & liue, [for] I feare God.
Nehemiah 5:15
For the olde captaynes that were before me, had ben chargeable vnto the people, and had taken of them bread & wine, beside fouretie sicles of siluer, yea and their seruauntes had oppressed the people: But so did not I, and that because of the feare of God.
For the olde captaynes that were before me, had ben chargeable vnto the people, and had taken of them bread & wine, beside fouretie sicles of siluer, yea and their seruauntes had oppressed the people: But so did not I, and that because of the feare of God.
Job 1:1
In the lande of Hus there was a man whose name was Iob, & the same was a perfect and iust man, one that feared God and eschued euill.
In the lande of Hus there was a man whose name was Iob, & the same was a perfect and iust man, one that feared God and eschued euill.
Job 28:28
And vnto man he sayd: To feare the Lorde is wysdome, and to forsake euyll is vnderstanding.
And vnto man he sayd: To feare the Lorde is wysdome, and to forsake euyll is vnderstanding.
Psalms 14:4
Do not all the workers of iniquitie know, deuouryng my people as though they deuoured bread: that they call not vpon God?
Do not all the workers of iniquitie know, deuouryng my people as though they deuoured bread: that they call not vpon God?
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Ver. 11 And the king of Israel answered and said,.... Very mildly and very wisely:
tell him, let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off; that is, he that prepares for the battle as he that has got the victory; the sense is, let no man triumph before the battle is over and the victory won; the events of war are uncertain; the battle is not always to the strong.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Ahabâs reply has the air of a proverb, with which Orientals always love to answer a foe.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Kings 20:11. Let not him that girdeth on — This was no doubt a proverbial mode of expression. Jonathan translates, "Tell him, Let not him who girds himself and goes down to the battle, boast as he who has conquered and returned from it."
