Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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Read the Bible
Bible in Basic English
1 Kings 20:11
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.
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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 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.
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 Now Ben-hadad, king of Aram, got all his army together, and thirty-two kings with him, and horses and carriages of war; he went up and made war on Samaria, shutting it in. 2 And he sent representatives into the town to Ahab, king of Israel; 3 And they said to him, Ben-hadad says, Your silver and your gold are mine; and your wives and children are mine. 4 And the king of Israel sent him an answer saying, As you say, my lord king, I am yours with all I have. 5 Then the representatives came back again, and said, These are the words of Ben-hadad: I sent to you saying, Give up to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children; 6 But I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, to make a search through your house and the houses of your people, and everything which is pleasing in your eyes they will take away in their hands. 7 Then the king of Israel sent for all the responsible men of the land, and said, Now will you take note and see the evil purpose of this man: he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, and I did not keep them back. 8 And all the responsible men and the people said to him, Do not give attention to him or do what he says. 9 So he said to the representatives of Ben-hadad, Say to my lord the king, All the orders you sent the first time I will do; but this thing I may not do. And the representatives went back with this answer. 10 Then Ben-hadad sent to him, saying, May the gods' punishment be on me if there is enough of the dust of Samaria for all the people at my feet to take some in their hands.
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
And I am certain that when the men of Egypt see you, they will say, This is his wife: and they will put me to death and keep you.
And I am certain that when the men of Egypt see you, they will say, This is his wife: and they will put me to death and keep you.
Genesis 20:1
And Abraham went on his way from there to the land of the South, and was living between Kadesh and Shur, in Gerar.
And Abraham went on his way from there to the land of the South, and was living between Kadesh and Shur, in Gerar.
Genesis 20:4
Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, Lord, will you put to death an upright nation?
Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, Lord, will you put to death an upright nation?
Genesis 22:12
And he said, Let not your hand be stretched out against the boy to do anything to him; for now I am certain that the fear of God is in your heart, because you have not kept back your son, your only son, from me.
And he said, Let not your hand be stretched out against the boy to do anything to him; for now I am certain that the fear of God is in your heart, because you have not kept back your son, your only son, from me.
Genesis 26:7
And when he was questioned by the men of the place about his wife, he said, She is my sister; fearing to say, She is my wife; for, he said, the men of the place may put me to death on account of Rebekah; because she is very beautiful.
And when he was questioned by the men of the place about his wife, he said, She is my sister; fearing to say, She is my wife; for, he said, the men of the place may put me to death on account of Rebekah; because she is very beautiful.
Genesis 42:18
And on the third day Joseph said to them, Do this, if you would keep your lives: for I am a god-fearing man:
And on the third day Joseph said to them, Do this, if you would keep your lives: for I am a god-fearing man:
Nehemiah 5:15
But earlier rulers who were before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver; and even their servants were lords over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
But earlier rulers who were before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver; and even their servants were lords over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was without sin and upright, fearing God and keeping himself far from evil.
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was without sin and upright, fearing God and keeping himself far from evil.
Job 28:28
And he said to man, Truly the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to keep from evil is the way to knowledge.
And he said to man, Truly the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to keep from evil is the way to knowledge.
Psalms 14:4
Have all the workers of evil no knowledge? they take my people for food as they would take bread; they make no prayer to the Lord.
Have all the workers of evil no knowledge? they take my people for food as they would take bread; they make no prayer to the Lord.
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
Ahab’s 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."
