English Standard Version
Proverbs 20:17
17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
Proverbs 20:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
- New International Version (NIV)Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.
Context of Proverbs 20:17
15There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. 18Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. 19Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:17 word by word
עָרֵ֣ב לָ֭אִישׁ לֶ֣חֶם שָׁ֑קֶר וְ֝אַחַ֗ר יִמָּֽלֵא־פִ֥יהוּ חָצָֽץ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Bread of deceit is sweet - Property acquired by falsehood, speculation, etc., without labor, is pleasant to the unprincipled, slothful man; but there is a curse in it, and the issue will prove it.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17“To eat gravel” was a Hebrew Lamentations 3:16, and is an Arabic, phrase for getting into trouble. So “bread,” got by deceit, tastes sweet at first, but ends by leaving the hunger of the soul unsatisfied. There is a pleasure in the sense of cleverness felt after a hard bargain or a successful fraud, which must be met by bidding men look on the after consequences.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 Wealth gotten by fraud may be sweet, for the carnal mind takes pleasure in the success of wicked devices; but it will be bitter in the reflection.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. Bread ... sweet--either as unlawfully (Pr 9:17) or easily obtained. mouth ... gravel--well expresses the pain and grief given at last.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries