Parallel Verses

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.

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.

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
A gracious and good woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].
17 
The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.
18
The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].

Cross References

Matthew 5:7

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Matthew 25:34-40

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Job 20:19-23


“For he has oppressed and neglected the poor;
He has violently taken away houses which he did not build.

Psalm 41:1-4

Blessed [by God’s grace and compassion] is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will save him in the day of trouble.

Psalm 112:4-9


Light arises in the darkness for the upright;
He is gracious and compassionate and righteous (upright—in right standing with God).

Proverbs 15:27


He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task.

Isaiah 57:1

The righteous man perishes [at the hand of evil], and no one takes it to heart;
Faithful and devout men are taken away, while no one understands
That the righteous person is taken away [to be spared] from disaster and evil.

Isaiah 58:7-12


“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not to hide yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?

Daniel 4:27

Therefore, O king, let my advice to you be [considered and found] acceptable; break away now from your sins and exhibit your repentance by doing what is right, and from your wickedness by showing mercy to the poor, so that [if you repent] there may possibly be a continuance of your prosperity and tranquility and a healing of your error.’

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-14

Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed].

Philippians 4:17

Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you].

James 2:13

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.

James 5:1-5

Come [quickly] now, you rich [who lack true faith and hoard and misuse your resources], weep and howl over the miseries [the woes, the judgments] that are coming upon you.

Isaiah 32:7-8


As for the rogue, his weapons are evil;
He conceives wicked plans
To ruin the poor with lies,
Even when the plea of the needy one is just and right.

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