Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 11:17
17A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
Proverbs 11:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- New International Version (NIV)Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
Context of Proverbs 11:17
15He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure. 16A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. 18The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. 19Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:17 word by word
גֹּמֵ֣ל נַ֭פְשׁוֹ אִ֣ישׁ חָ֑סֶד וְעֹכֵ֥ר שְׁ֝אֵר֗וֹ אַכְזָרִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:17
- Psalms 41:1Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
- Psalms 112:4Light dawns in the darkness for the upright— for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.
- Isaiah 32:7The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
- Isaiah 57:1The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil.
- Isaiah 58:7Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Daniel 4:27Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
- Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Matthew 6:14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Matthew 25:34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Luke 6:38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Philippians 4:17Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
- Proverbs 15:27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
- Job 20:19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
- James 2:13For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Commentaries on Proverbs 11:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling. But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, "He frets his flesh off his bones."Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. merciful--kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Pr 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others. flesh--that is, his body, by penuriousness (Col 2:23).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 11:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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