New Living Translation
Proverbs 17:26
26It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.
Proverbs 17:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
- New International Version (NIV)If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
- English Standard Version (ESV)To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
Context of Proverbs 17:26
24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth. It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest. 27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. 28Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:26 word by word
גַּ֤ם עֲנ֣וֹשׁ לַצַּדִּ֣יק לֹא־ט֑וֹב לְהַכּ֖וֹת נְדִיבִ֣ים עַל־יֹֽשֶׁר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:26
- Proverbs 17:15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the Lord.
- Proverbs 18:5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
- Genesis 18:25Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
- 2 Samuel 3:23When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety.
- 2 Samuel 16:7“Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David.
- 2 Samuel 19:7Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”
- Job 34:18For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’
- Micah 5:1Mobilize! Marshal your troops! The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem. They will strike Israel’s leader in the face with a rod.
- John 18:22Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26Nor to strike princes for equity - To fall out with the ruler of the people, and to take off his head under pretense of his not being a just or equitable governor, is unjust. To kill a king on the ground of justice is a most dreadful omen to any land. Where was it ever done, that it promoted the public prosperity? No experiment of this kind has ever yet succeeded, howsoever worthless the king might be.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26Nor to strike - Better, and to strike the noble (in character rather than in rank) is against right. Compare John 18:28.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26Verse 26 It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- 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
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