Proverbs 17:13

13 Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.

Proverbs 17:13 in Other Translations

KJV
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
ESV
13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
NLT
13 If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.
MSG
13 Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning.
CSB
13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.

Proverbs 17:13 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:13

Whoso rewardeth evil for good
As the enemies of David and Christ rewarded them, ( Psalms 35:12 ) ( 109:5 ) ; this is base ingratitude, contrary to the law and light of nature; worse than beastly, is really devilish; evil shall not depart from his house;
from him and his family; they shall be continually visited with one disease and calamity or another; so hateful and offensive is the sin of ingratitude to God, and therefore ought to be carefully avoided. This might be illustrated by the judgments of God on the nation of the Jews, for their ingratitude to Christ.

Proverbs 17:13 In-Context

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
13 Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S 1 Samuel 19:4; Psalms 109:4-5; Jeremiah 18:20
  • 2. S Genesis 44:4; S Psalms 35:12
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