Proverbs 17:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

NIV: Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.

NASB: One who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

CSB: If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.

NLT: If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.

KJV: Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

NKJV: Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

As with all proverbs, this is not an absolute guarantee, predicting every possible situation. Like similar statements (Proverbs 11:21; 21:21; 17:11), this is a general-case observation. Those who do evil in response to good can expect catastrophe. Beyond the natural consequences of sin (Proverbs 14:12), those with a reputation for spite rarely receive help from others. In some cases, they might inspire others to take pleasure in their misery, instead of trying to ease it (Proverbs 17:5).

David was a good king who loved the Lord, but he fell into sin by committing adultery with Bathsheba. Bathsheba's husband Uriah served David well as a valiant soldier and an honorable man, but David repaid Uriah's goodness with evil. He arranged for Uriah to be killed on the battlefield. Doing evil to Uriah was David's intended coverup for his sin with Bathsheba. Although David experienced deep conviction and confessed his evil to the Lord, he brought great trouble to his family (2 Samuel 12:9–10).

Repaying good with evil was also the case of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem who called for Jesus to be crucified (John 18:28–30). Jesus had brought good to Israel by teaching the way to heaven and by healing many who were oppressed (John 19:4). A few decades after the crucifixion, the Romans overran Jerusalem and destroyed the temple (Matthew 24:1–2).

Proverbs 17:7–21 continues Solomon's wise observations. These remarks touch on speech, fools, strife, true friendship, co-signing loans, love of sinning, and what a fool can expect thanks to his foolishness. Numerous comments involve errors that lead to arguments and division. Some observations make a statement and then add to it, others present vivid contrasts.

This portion of Solomon's wise sayings involves several recurring themes. Among these are the importance of controlling one's words: hasty or spiteful language can do great harm. He also notes how wisdom and foolishness tend to be self-perpetuating. Wise people seek wisdom, foolish people seem immune to it. Other important topics are the impact of ungodly children on a family and the value of integrity and common sense.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.