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

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

20 The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

20 A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.

20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

20 A twisted mind never finds happiness, and one with a devious tongue [repeatedly] gets into trouble.

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.

20 If your heart is twisted, you won't succeed. If your tongue tells lies, you will get into trouble.

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 ) .

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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.