Parallel Verses

NET Bible

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

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.

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 generous woman gains honor, and ruthless men seize wealth. 17 A kind person benefits himself, but a cruel person brings himself trouble. 18 The wicked person earns deceitful wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a genuine reward.

Cross References

Matthew 5:7

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown 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 oppressed the poor and abandoned them; he has seized a house which he did not build.

Psalm 41:1-4

For the music director; a psalm of David. How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him.

Psalm 112:4-9

In the darkness a light shines for the godly, for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just.

Proverbs 15:27

The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is futile and a burdensome task!

Isaiah 57:1

The godly perish, but no one cares. Honest people disappear, when no one minds that the godly disappear because of evil.

Isaiah 58:7-12

I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don't turn your back on your own flesh and blood!

Daniel 4:27

Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged."

Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive."

2 Corinthians 9:6-14

My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.

Philippians 4:17

I do not say this because I am seeking a gift. Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.

James 2:13

For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 5:1-5

Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you.

Isaiah 32:7-8

A deceiver's methods are evil; he dreams up evil plans to ruin the poor with lies, even when the needy are in the 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

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