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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 17:20 The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/17-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/20_Pro_17_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 17:20 - Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who has a crooked mind finds nothing good, And one who is corrupted in his language falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who has a crooked heart finds no good, And he who is perverted in his tongue falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Dishonesty does you no good, and telling lies will get you in trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A twisted mind never finds happiness, and one with a devious tongue [repeatedly]gets into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Anyone who thinks and speaks evil can expect to find nothing good--only disaster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The person whose mind is perverse does not find good, and anyone with perverted speech falls into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The perverse of heart does not find good, "" And the [one] turned in his tongue falls into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The perverse of heart shall not find good: and he turning about with his tongue shall fall into evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The perverse in heart come to no good, and the double-tongued fall into trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The crooked of mind do not prosper, and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who slanders in heart will not find good; and he who has an evil tongue falls into mischief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that is perverse in his heart will not find good and he that perverts his tongue falls into evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/17-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3442" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6141.htm" title="6141: ‘iq·qeš- (Adj-msc) -- Twisted, perverted. From aqash; distorted; hence, false.">The one with a perverse</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: yim·ṣā- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">finds</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (N-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">good,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: bil·šō·w·nōw (Prep-b:: N-csc:: 3ms) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">and he whose tongue</a> <a href="/hebrew/2015.htm" title="2015: wə·neh·pāḵ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To turn, overturn. A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert.">is deceitful</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: yip·pō·wl (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">falls</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: bə·rā·‘āh (Prep-b:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">into trouble.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8-10</a></span><br />but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. / With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. / Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-37</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a></span><br />The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-13.htm">Psalm 34:13-14</a></span><br />Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. / Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-14</a></span><br />A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10-11</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. / He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31-32</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-20.htm">Proverbs 11:20</a></span><br />The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Proverbs 15:4</a></span><br />A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Proverbs 16:28</a></span><br />A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">Proverbs 19:1</a></span><br />Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that has a fraudulent heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.</p><p class="hdg">he that hath a froward heart</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-32.htm">Proverbs 3:32</a></b></br> For the froward <i>is</i> abomination to the LORD: but his secret <i>is</i> with the righteous.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-15</a></b></br> A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a></b></br> The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.</p><p class="hdg">and he</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-10.htm">Proverbs 10:10,14,31</a></b></br> He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Proverbs 18:6,7</a></b></br> A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a></b></br> The words of a wise man's mouth <i>are</i> gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-9.htm">Crooked</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-17.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-20.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-20.htm">Findeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-20.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Froward</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-18.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/114-1.htm">Language</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-27.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-20.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-20.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-17.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-11.htm">Wayward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Crooked</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-3.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-16.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Findeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Froward</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-22.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-22.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-18.htm">Language</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-2.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-18.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-21.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-19.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-16.htm">Wayward</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical context, the heart is seen as the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. A perverse heart is contrasted with a pure heart, which seeks righteousness and aligns with God's will. The idea that such a heart "finds no good" suggests that those who harbor corruption within themselves are unable to perceive or experience true goodness, which is often associated with God's blessings and favor. This aligns with the biblical principle that one's internal state affects their external experiences (<a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a>). Theologically, this reflects the fallen nature of humanity and the need for redemption and transformation through Christ, who offers a new heart and spirit (<a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>).<p><b>and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble</b><br>A "deceitful tongue" indicates speech that is dishonest or misleading. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, integrity in speech was highly valued, as words had the power to build or destroy relationships and communities. The phrase "falls into trouble" implies that deceitful speech ultimately leads to negative consequences, both socially and spiritually. This is consistent with the biblical theme that God detests lying lips but delights in those who are truthful (<a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">Proverbs 12:22</a>). The connection between speech and consequence is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the power of words (<a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a>). In a broader theological sense, this reflects the need for believers to emulate Christ, who is the embodiment of truth (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>), and to speak in a manner that reflects His character.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often address moral and ethical living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed, providing guidance for living in accordance with God's wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wise_and_the_foolish.htm">The Wise and the Foolish</a></b><br>- Throughout Proverbs, these two archetypes are used to contrast those who follow God's wisdom with those who reject it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_your_heart.htm">Guard Your Heart</a></b><br>The heart is the source of our actions and words. A perverse heart leads to negative outcomes. We must continually seek to align our hearts with God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Our words have the power to build up or destroy. A deceitful tongue not only harms others but also brings trouble upon the speaker. We should strive for honesty and integrity in our speech.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seek_wisdom.htm">Seek Wisdom</a></b><br>Proverbs consistently contrasts the wise and the foolish. Seeking God's wisdom helps us avoid the pitfalls of a perverse heart and deceitful tongue.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Regularly examine your heart and speech. Are they aligned with God's standards? Repentance and prayer are key to transformation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_accountability.htm">Community Accountability</a></b><br>Engage with a community of believers who can provide accountability and encouragement in maintaining a pure heart and truthful speech.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_secretive_hand_actions_mean.htm">What does secretive action between hands signify?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_man's_identity.htm">What is a debased mind?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_discern_good_vs._evil.htm">How do you separate good from evil in life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_power_of_his_resurrection.htm">What does 'suppressing the truth in unrighteousness' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">He that hath a froward heart, findeth no good.</span>--For he is an abomination to God (<a href="/proverbs/11-20.htm" title="They that are of a fraudulent heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.">Proverbs 11:20</a>), and so gains no blessing from Him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that hath a froward heart findeth no good</span>. (For "froward," see on Proverbs 11:20; for "find good," on Proverbs 16:20.) The perverse, wilful man shall not prosper, shall win no blessing in his worldly matters, much less in spiritual things. Septuagint, "He who is hard of heart meeteth not with good things." <span class="cmt_word">He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief;</span> literally, <span class="accented">he who turns himself about with his tongue</span>, saying one thing at one time and something quite contrary at another. Vulgate, <span class="accented">qui vertit linguam</span>; Septuagint, <span class="greek">ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος</span> <span class="greek">γλώσσῃ</span>, "easily changed in tongue" (comp. <a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a>; <a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31</a>, where the word is different). "Mischief" (<span class="accented">ra</span>) "is trouble," "calamity," as in <a href="/proverbs/13-17.htm">Proverbs 13:17</a>. Speaking of the various aspects which words may assume, Cato ('Dist.,' 4:20) says - <p><span class="foreign">"Sermo hominum mores et celat et indicat idem."</span> <p><span class="accented">"Man's words his character reveal,<br />But often they his mind conceal?</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/17-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The one with a perverse</span><br /><span class="heb">עִקֶּשׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(‘iq·qeš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6141.htm">Strong's 6141: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twisted, perverted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֭ב</span> <span class="translit">(lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">finds</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְצָא־</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ṣā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good,</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֑וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he whose tongue</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֝לְשׁוֹנ֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bil·šō·w·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is deceitful</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֶהְפָּ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·neh·pāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2015.htm">Strong's 2015: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will fall</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפּ֥וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(yip·pō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into trouble.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרָעָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/17-20.htm">Proverbs 17:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/17-20.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:20 One who has a perverse heart doesn't (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/17-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 17:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>