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Proverbs 17:17-21 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 17:17-21 NIV (New International Version)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

Proverbs 17:17-21 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor. Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction. A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:17-21 NLT (New Living Translation)

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend. Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster. The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble. It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

Proverbs 17:17-21 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

A friend loves at all times,  and a brother is born for a difficult time. One without sense enters an agreement  and puts up security for his friend.  One who loves to offend loves strife;  one who builds a high threshold invites injury. One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.  A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:17-21 KJV (King James Version)

A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: And the father of a fool hath no joy.

Proverbs 17:17-21 NKJV (New King James Version)

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:17-21 MSG (The Message)

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. It’s stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay. The person who courts sin marries trouble; build a wall, invite a burglar. A bad motive can’t achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble. Having a fool for a child is misery; it’s no fun being the parent of a dolt.

Proverbs 17:17-21 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A person lacking in sense shakes hands And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. One who loves wrongdoing loves strife; One who makes his doorway high seeks destruction. One who has a crooked mind finds nothing good, And one who is corrupted in his language falls into evil. He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:17-21 AMP (Amplified Bible)

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man lacking common sense gives a pledge And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor. He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome; He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride]. He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. [James 3:8] He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.

Proverbs 17:17-21 NET (New English Translation)

A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity. The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor. The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction. The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble. Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.