Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible
New Century Version
1 Kings 20:11
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.'"
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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 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.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
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.
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.
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 Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered together all his army. There were thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots who went with him and surrounded Samaria and attacked it. 2 The king sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel. This was his message: "Ben-Hadad says, 3 ‘Your silver and gold belong to me, as well as the best of your wives and children.'" 4 Ahab king of Israel answered, "My master and king, I agree to what you say. I and everything I have belong to you." 5 Then the messengers came to Ahab again. They said, "Ben-Hadad says, ‘I told you before that you must give me your silver and gold, your wives and your children. 6 About this time tomorrow I will send my men, who will search everywhere in your palace and in the homes of your officers. Whatever they want they will take and carry off.'" 7 Then Ahab called a meeting of all the elders of his country. He said, "Ben-Hadad is looking for trouble. First he said I had to give him my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I have not refused him." 8 The elders and all the people said, "Don't listen to him or agree to this." 9 So Ahab said to Ben-Hadad's messengers, "Tell my master the king: ‘I will do what you said at first, but I cannot allow this second command.'" And King Ben-Hadad's men carried the message back to him. 10 Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: "May the gods punish me terribly if I don't completely destroy Samaria. There won't be enough left for each of my men to get a handful of dust!"
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
When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This woman is his wife.' Then they will kill me but let you live.
When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This woman is his wife.' Then they will kill me but let you live.
Genesis 20:1
Abraham left Hebron and traveled to southern Canaan where he stayed awhile between Kadesh and Shur. When he moved to Gerar,
Abraham left Hebron and traveled to southern Canaan where he stayed awhile between Kadesh and Shur. When he moved to Gerar,
Genesis 20:4
But Abimelech had not gone near Sarah, so he said, "Lord, would you destroy an innocent nation?
But Abimelech had not gone near Sarah, so he said, "Lord, would you destroy an innocent nation?
Genesis 22:12
The angel said, "Don't kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you trust God and that you have not kept your son, your only son, from me."
The angel said, "Don't kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you trust God and that you have not kept your son, your only son, from me."
Genesis 26:7
His wife Rebekah was very beautiful, and the men of that place asked Isaac about her. Isaac said, "She is my sister," because he was afraid to tell them she was his wife. He thought they might kill him so they could have her.
His wife Rebekah was very beautiful, and the men of that place asked Isaac about her. Isaac said, "She is my sister," because he was afraid to tell them she was his wife. He thought they might kill him so they could have her.
Genesis 42:18
On the third day Joseph said to them, "I am a God-fearing man. Do this and I will let you live:
On the third day Joseph said to them, "I am a God-fearing man. Do this and I will let you live:
Nehemiah 5:15
But the governors before me had placed a heavy load on the people. They took about one pound of silver from each person, along with food and wine. The governors' helpers before me also controlled the people, but I did not do that, because I feared God.
But the governors before me had placed a heavy load on the people. They took about one pound of silver from each person, along with food and wine. The governors' helpers before me also controlled the people, but I did not do that, because I feared God.
Job 1:1
A man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was an honest and innocent man; he honored God and stayed away from evil.
A man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was an honest and innocent man; he honored God and stayed away from evil.
Job 28:28
Then he said to humans, ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom; to stay away from evil is understanding.'"
Then he said to humans, ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom; to stay away from evil is understanding.'"
Psalms 14:4
Don't the wicked understand? They destroy my people as if they were eating bread. They do not ask the Lord for help.
Don't the wicked understand? They destroy my people as if they were eating bread. They do not ask the Lord for help.
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."
