Proverbs 11:17

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

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

American King James Version (AKJV)

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

American Standard Version (ASV)

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

Basic English Translation (BBE)

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

Webster's Revision

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.

English Revised Version (ERV)

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

Clarke's Proverbs 11:17 Bible Commentary

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling.

But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, "He frets his flesh off his bones."