Proverbs 17:4

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.”

What this verse means

A short, plain-language explanation of Proverbs 17:4 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.”

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

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

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; Anda liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo Proverbs 17:4 — 8 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. 1 Samuel 22:7Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?
  2. 1 Kings 22:6So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
  3. Proverbs 28:4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
  4. Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.
  5. Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
  6. 2 Timothy 4:3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
  7. 1 John 4:5They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.
  8. Revelation 13:3One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast.

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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