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 A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. 17 The merciful man does himself good,
But the cruel man does himself harm.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

Cross References

Matthew 5:7

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Job 20:19-23

For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build.

Psalm 41:1-4

Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him;

Psalm 112:4-9

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

Proverbs 15:27

Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

Isaiah 57:1

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;

Isaiah 58:7-12

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Daniel 4:27

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Luke 6:38

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

2 Corinthians 9:6-14

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Philippians 4:17

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

James 2:13

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 5:1-5

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

Isaiah 32:7-8

As for the scoundrel--his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right.

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Word Concordance

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

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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