Proverbs 17:20

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

Proverbs 17:20 in Other Translations

KJV
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
ESV
20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
NLT
20 The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
MSG
20 A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.
CSB
20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.

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 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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