Proverbs 11:27

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

Proverbs 11:27 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
New Living Translation (NLT)
27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!
The Message Bible (MSG)
27 The one who seeks good finds delight; the student of evil becomes evil.
American Standard Version (ASV)
27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
27 Whoever eagerly seeks good searches for good will, but whoever looks for evil finds it.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
27 The one who searches for what is good finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
27 Anyone who looks for what is good finds favor. But bad things happen to a person who plans to do evil.

Proverbs 11:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:27

He that diligently seeketh good
Or "early"; who rises early in the morning, as the word F5 signifies, and seeks both to do good, and to enjoy it all the day; who, in the first place, seeks the kingdom of God and his righteousness; who, in the morning of his youth, inquires after the best things; and diligently pursues what is for his own good and welfare, and that of others, and for the glory of God: procureth favour,
both of God and men: or, "seeketh favour" F6; or that which is acceptable and well-pleasing unto God; but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him;
that seeks to do hurt to others; that which he seeks to do to them shall come upon himself; see ( Psalms 9:15 ) ; so antichrist, that leads into captivity, shall go into captivity; and that kills with the sword, shall be killed by it, ( Revelation 13:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (rxv) "qui mane quaerit", Vatablus; "quarens mane", Montanus; "qui mane vestigat", Schultens; "bene consurgit diluculo", V. L. so the Targum and Ben Melech.
F6 (Nwur vqby) "quaerit favorem, beneplacitum", Vatablus, Michaelis; "benevolentiam", Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 11:27 In-Context

25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Esther 7:10; Psalms 7:15-16
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