Proverbs 17:13
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If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
13 He that returneth evil for good, From his house evil shall not depart. If ingratitude appertains to the sinful manifestations of ignoble selfishness, how much more sinful still is black ingratitude, which recompenses evil for good! (משׁיב, as Sa1 25:21, syn. גּמל, to requite, Pro 3:30; Pro 31:12; שׁלּם, to reimburse, Pro 20:22). Instead of תמישׁ, the Kerı̂ reads תמוּשׁ; but that this verb, with a middle vowel, may be 'י'ע as well as 'ו'ע, Psa 55:2 shows.
Open source ↗A malicious mischievous man is here represented, 1. As ungrateful to his friends. He oftentimes is so absurd and insensible of kindnesses done him that he renders evil for good. David met with those that were his adversaries for his love, Psa 109:4. To render evil for evil is brutish, but to render evil for good is devilish. He is an ill-natured man who, because he is resolved not to return a kindness, will revenge it. 2. As therein unkind to his family, for he entails a curse upon it. This is a crime so heinous that it shall be punished, not only in his person, but in his posterity, for whom he thus treasures up wrath. The sword shall not depart from David's house because he rewarded Uriah with evil for his good services. The Jews stoned Christ for his good works; therefore is his blood upon them and upon their children.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.
They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.
Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”