Proverbs 17 · Verse 4

Proverbs 17:4

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Proverbs 17:4, King James Version

Proverbs 17:4 in other translations

BSBA wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
WEBAn evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
ASVAn evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
YLTAn evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
DARBYThe evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
BBEA wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.
WebsterA wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

What does Proverbs 17:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 A wicked doer giveth heed - An evil heart is disposed and ever ready to receive evil; and liars delight in lies.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 17:4 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מֵ֭רַעMe.ra'an evil-doerH7489
מַקְשִׁ֣יבmak.Shiv[is] paying attentionH7181
עַל\־'al-onH5921
שְׂפַת\־se.fat-a lip ofH8193
אָ֑וֶן'A.venwickednessH205
שֶׁ֥קֶרShe.kerdeceptionH8267
מֵ֝זִיןMe.zin[is] giving earH238
עַל\־'al-onH5921
לְשׁ֥וֹןle.Shona tongue ofH3956
הַוֹּֽת\׃ha.Votdestruction<s>H1942

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 17:4

  • 2 Timothy 4:3-4

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

  • Proverbs 28:4

    They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

  • 1 John 4:5

    They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

  • Isaiah 30:10

    Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

  • Jeremiah 5:31

    The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

  • Revelation 13:3-8

    And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. …

  • 1 Kings 22:6-28

    Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth–gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
28:4; 1Sa 22:7-11; 1Ki 22:6-28; Isa 30:10; Jer 5:31; 2Ti 4:3,4
1Jo 4:5; Re 13:3-8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 17:3

    The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.

  • Proverbs 17:4

    A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

  • Proverbs 17:5

    Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El malo está atento al labio inicuo; y el mentiroso escucha á la lengua detractora.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui fait le mal est attentif à la lèvre d’iniquité; le menteur prête l’oreille à la langue pernicieuse.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ein Übeltäter horcht auf die Lippe des Unheils, ein Lügner gibt Gehör der Zunge des Verderbens.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Malus obedit linguæ iniquæ, et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus.