New International Version
Proverbs 11:17
17Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.
Context of Proverbs 11:17
15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe. 16A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 18A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. 19Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:17 word by word
גֹּמֵ֣ל נַ֭פְשׁוֹ אִ֣ישׁ חָ֑סֶד וְעֹכֵ֥ר שְׁ֝אֵר֗וֹ אַכְזָרִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:17
- Psalms 41:1Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
- Psalms 112:4Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
- Isaiah 32:7Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes 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; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
- Isaiah 58:7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Daniel 4:27Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
- Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Matthew 6:14For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Matthew 25:34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation 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 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 desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
- Proverbs 15:27The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
- Job 20:19For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute; he has seized houses he did not build.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
- James 2:13because 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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Commentaries