Proverbs 17:20

20 He that has a perverse heart shall never find good, and he that stirs up trouble with his tongue shall fall into evil.

Proverbs 17:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:20

He that hath a froward heart findeth no good
Who is of a perverse spirit, meditates and devises evil things; is not ingenuous and sincere, but false and deceitful to God and men: such an one gets no good from either; he obtains not the favour of God, nor a good name, credit, and reputation among men; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief;
or "that turns himself", or "is turned in his tongue" F23; whose tongue is changeable, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; who sometimes says one thing, and sometimes another, and is not consistent with himself; as well as is contrary to all men: sooner or later he falls into mischief, into a pit, which he himself has dug for others; see ( James 3:6 James 3:8 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F23 (wnwvlb Kphnw) "qui verterit se", Pagninus; "et verteus se in lingua sua", Montanus; "qui vertitur in lingua sua". Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 17:20 In-Context

18 A man void of understanding strikes hands and becomes surety in the presence of his friend.
19 Transgression loves him that loves strife, and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20 He that has a perverse heart shall never find good, and he that stirs up trouble with his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow, and the father of a fool shall have no joy.
22 A joyful heart shall do good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010