Proverbs 17:20

20 He that is of wayward heart, shall not find good; and he that (mis-)turneth the 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 fond man shall make joy with hands (A foolish person shall clap his hands, or shall rejoice), when he hath promised for his friend.
19 He that bethinketh discords, loveth chidings; and he that enhanceth his mouth, seeketh falling. (He who thinketh up discord, loveth arguments; and he who exalteth his own mouth, seeketh his own downfall.)
20 He that is of wayward heart, shall not find good; and he that (mis-)turneth the tongue, shall fall into evil.
21 A fool is born in his shame; but neither the father shall be glad in a fool. (A fool is born to his parents? shame; and the father shall never be glad, or have joy, over his foolish son.)
22 A joyful soul maketh liking age (A joyful soul maketh a good life); a sorrowful spirit maketh dry bones.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.