Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

The merciful man does himself good,
But the cruel man does himself harm.

King James Version

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Holman Bible

A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.

International Standard Version

A gracious man benefits himself, but the cruel person damages himself.

A Conservative Version

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

American Standard Version

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Amplified


The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.

Bible in Basic English

The man who has mercy will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.

Darby Translation

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Julia Smith Translation

The man of mercy benefited his soul: and the cruel troubled his flesh.

King James 2000

The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Lexham Expanded Bible

A person of kindness rewards himself, but a cruel [person] harms his own flesh.

Modern King James verseion

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

He that hath a gentle liberal stomach is merciful; but whoso hurteth his neighbour, is a tyrant.

NET Bible

A kind person benefits himself, but a cruel person brings himself trouble.

New Heart English Bible

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

The Emphasized Bible

The man of lovingkindness, dealeth well with his own soul, but the cruel man, troubleth his own flesh.

Webster

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

World English Bible

The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Youngs Literal Translation

A kind man is rewarding his own soul, And the fierce is troubling his own flesh.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
man
אישׁ 
'iysh 
Usage: 692

to his own soul
נפשׁ 
Nephesh 
Usage: 753

but he that is cruel
אכזרי 
'akzariy 
Usage: 8

עכר 
`akar 
Usage: 14

Verse Info

Context Readings

Proverbs Of Solomon

16 The gracious woman retains honour, and strong men retain riches. 17 The merciful man does himself good,
But the cruel man does himself harm.
18 The wicked works a deceitful work, but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Cross References

Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 25:34-40

Then shall the King say unto those on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

Job 20:19-23

Because he oppressed and forsook the poor; because he has violently taken away houses which he did not build,

Psalm 41:1-4

Blessed is he that understands regarding the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.

Psalm 112:4-9

Zain A light has shined in the darkness upon the upright: Cheth Gracious and merciful and righteous.

Proverbs 15:27

He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house, but he that hates gifts shall live.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

It is the man who is alone, without a successor, who has neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity and sore travail.

Isaiah 57:1

The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Isaiah 58:7-12

Is it not to share thy bread with the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out into thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou not hide thyself from thy brother?

Daniel 4:27

Therefore, O king, approve my counsel and redeem thy sins with righteousness and thine iniquities with mercies unto the poor: behold the medicine for thy sin.

Matthew 6:14-15

For if ye set men free from their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also set you free;

Luke 6:38

give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye measure out it shall be measured to you again.

2 Corinthians 9:6-14

But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who sows in blessings shall also reap blessings.

Philippians 4:17

Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

James 2:13

For judgment without mercy shall be done unto the one that has shown no mercy; and mercy boasts against judgment.

James 5:1-5

Come now, Oh ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Isaiah 32:7-8

Certainly the greedy use evil measures: he devises wicked devices to ensnare the simple with lying words and to speak in judgment against the poor.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain