But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them,“ Do not answer him.”

百姓静默不言，并不回答一句，因为王曾吩咐说：“不要回答他。”

百姓静默不言，一句不答，因为希西家王曾吩咐说：“不要回答他。”

百姓静默不言，一句不答，因为希西家王曾吩咐说：“不要回答他。”

民众默不作声，一言不发，因为希西迦曾吩咐他们不要答话。

众人都默不作声，一句话也没有回答他，因为王的吩咐说：“不要回答他。”

众人都默不作声，一句也不回应，因为希西加王有令说：“不许回应他。”

百姓靜默不言，並不回答一句，因為王曾吩咐說：「不要回答他。」

百姓靜默不言，一句不答，因為希西家王曾吩咐說：「不要回答他。」

百姓靜默不言，一句不答，因為希西家王曾吩咐說：「不要回答他。」

民眾默不作聲，一言不發，因為希西迦曾吩咐他們不要答話。

眾人都默不作聲，一句話也沒有回答他，因為王的吩咐說：“不要回答他。”

眾民都不作聲，一句話也沒有回答他，因為王是吩咐說：『不要回答他。』

眾人都默不作聲，一句也不回應，因為希西加王有令說：「不許回應他。」

眾默然、不答一詞、蓋王命勿答之、

民聞是言、不措一詞、蓋王有命、勿應之。

眾靜默不答一言、因王命曰、勿答之、

But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded,“ Do not answer him.”

But the people remained silent. They didn’t say anything. That’s because King Hezekiah had commanded,“ Don’t answer him.”

But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was,“ Do not answer him.”

But they kept silent; they didn’t say anything, for the king’s command was,“ Don’t answer him.”

But they were silent and did not answer him so much as a word; for the king’s command was,“ Do not answer him.”

But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was,“ Do not answer him.”

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

But they kept silent; they didn’t say anything, for the king’s command was,“ Don’t answer him.”

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

They were silent and did not respond, for the king had ordered,“ Don’t respond to him.”

But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was,“ Don’t answer him.”

Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

I said to myself,“ I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”

So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time.

“ Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply.For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God.

Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna, and Joah said to the Assyrian chief of staff,“ Please speak to us in Aramaic, for we understand it well. Don’t speak in Hebrew, for the people on the wall will hear.”

Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.

Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace administrator; Shebna the court secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, the royal historian, went back to Hezekiah. They tore their clothes in despair, and they went in to see the king and told him what the Assyrian chief of staff had said.