If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 17:13
What does Proverbs 17:13 mean?
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Proverbs 17:13
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This proverb isn't just about revenge; it highlights how responding to kindness with cruelty is fundamentally a spiritual offense. It warns that this kind of deep-seated ingratitude, which is described as "devilish" in its nature, invites a persistent spiritual and practical brokenness into one's life. The consequence isn't simply that bad things might happen, but that "evil will not depart," suggesting a cycle of calamity stemming from such a wicked heart.
If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb speaks directly to the kind of person who repays kindness with harm, a deeply base form of ingratitude. It fits into a larger section of Proverbs warning about destructive speech and actions, emphasizing that the way we treat others has serious consequences. The verse immediately following will speak about the importance of a "guilty mouth" and the danger of "foolish lips."
Ever felt wronged after doing a kindness? This verse warns that repaying good with bad has serious, lasting consequences.
The verse highlights the sin of ingratitude, calling it a base and even 'devilish' act. When we return evil for good, we're not just being unkind; we're acting contrary to nature and divine law. This sin is deeply offensive to God, inviting persistent trouble into our lives and families. Think of it as a stain that refuses to be washed out, a cycle of negativity that becomes deeply embedded.
This proverb isn't just about individual actions; it speaks to the fate of entire households. What makes a home vulnerable?
The phrase 'evil will not depart from his house' suggests a generational or pervasive influence. When ingratitude and malice become the norm, the consequences seep into the very fabric of a family's life. It means a continual experience of hardship, conflict, or distress that seems to follow the family line. This isn't necessarily a magical curse, but the natural, devastating fallout of living a life that consistently defies God's principles of love and gratitude.
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This passage shows David's response to Abigail's intervention after Nabal, who had returned David's kindness with evil, was about to face divine judgment. It illustrates the principle that repaying good with evil incurs God's displeasure and leads to destruction.
Matthew 5:39Jesus directly contrasts this proverb's principle by teaching His followers *not* to repay evil for evil, but to turn the other cheek. This highlights the radical, counter-cultural ethic of grace that God desires, which directly opposes the destructive cycle Proverbs 17:13 warns against.
Romans 12:17-21Paul echoes the sentiment of responding to evil with good, stating 'Repay no one evil for evil.' This passage expands on the idea by urging believers to overcome evil with good, showing that the principle in Proverbs applies to personal relationships and spiritual warfare.
Psalm 35:12This psalm describes David's lament that those he helped were repaying him with evil, praying for God's intervention. It provides a direct biblical parallel to the action described in Proverbs 17:13, showcasing the deep pain and injustice of such ingratitude.
clarkeProverbs 17:13: "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house."
Whoso rewardeth evil for good - Here is a most awful warning. As many persons are guilty of the sin of ingratitude, and of paying kindness with unkindness, and good with evil, it is no wonder we find so much wretchedness among men; for God's word cannot fail; evil shall not depart from the houses and families of such persons.
gillProverbs 17:13: "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house."
Whoso rewardeth evil for good,.... As the enemies of David and Christ rewarded them, Psalm 35:12 ; this is base ingratitude, contrary to the law and light of nature; worse than beastly, is really devilish; evil shall not depart from his house; from him and his family; they shall be continually visited with one disease and calamity or another; so hateful and offensive is the sin of ingratitude to God, and ther…
This proverb isn't just about revenge; it highlights how responding to kindness with cruelty is fundamentally a spiritual offense. It warns that this kind of deep-seated ingratitude, which is described as "devilish" in its nature, invites a persistent spiritual and practical brokenness into one's life. The consequence isn't simply that bad things might happen, but that "evil will not depart," suggesting a cycle of calamity stemming from such a wicked heart.
This proverb speaks directly to the kind of person who repays kindness with harm, a deeply base form of ingratitude. It fits into a larger section of Proverbs warning about destructive speech and actions, emphasizing that the way we treat others has serious consequences. The verse immediately following will speak about the importance of a "guilty mouth" and the danger of "foolish lips."
This proverb speaks directly to the kind of person who repays kindness with harm, a deeply base form of ingratitude. It fits into a larger section of Proverbs warning about destructive speech and actions, emphasizing that the way we treat others has serious consequences. The verse immediately following will speak about the importance of a "guilty mouth" and the danger of "foolish lips."
"If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." — This proverb isn't just about revenge; it highlights how responding to kindness with cruelty is fundamentally a spiritual offense. It warns that this kind of deep-seated ingratitude, which is describ…
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Last reviewed October 2026