Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 17:20 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble. "
Proverbs 17:20
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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A person who plans evil gets no real benefit from it. Someone with a crooked heart, who stirs up conflict and keeps hold of resentment, cannot expect gain that makes up for the loss of peace and a good name. He also cannot truly enjoy what he is doing, because he finds no lasting good in it.
Using evil words brings great harm too. A person with a twisted tongue, sharp, abusive, mocking, or spreading lies about others, will fall into one trouble or another. He loses friends, angers enemies, and brings suffering on himself. Many people have paid a high price for not controlling their speech.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 17:1
"Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife."
Proverbs 17:2
"A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers."
Proverbs 17:3
"The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts."
Proverbs 17:4
"An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue."
Proverbs 17:5
"Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished."
Proverbs 17:6
"Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents."
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