Proverbs 13:17

A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. A WICKED MESSENGER FALLETH INTO MISCHIEF. A messenger who does not execute his 'embassy' 'faithfully,' "falleth into" the penalty of his faithlessness. BUT A FAITHFUL AMBASSADOR (IS) HEALTH - alike to himself and to those by whom he is sent. Bad rulers and their bad ministers or agents are both accursed by God (cf. , with Psalms 52:1, title; 2 Kings 1:9)....

Verse Proverbs 13:17. _A WICKED MESSENGER_] The _Septuagint_: βασιλευς θρασυες, _a bold king_; instead of מלאך _malach_, a _messenger_, they had read מלך _melech_, a _king_: but they are singular in this rendering; none of the other versions have it so. He that betrays the counsels of his government, or the interests of his country, will sooner or later fall into mischief; but he that faithfully and loyally fulfils his mission, shall produce honour and safety to the commonwealth....

EXPOSITION VERSE 13:1-15:19 Second section in this collection. PROVERBS 13:1 A WISE SON HEARETH HIS FATHER'S INSTRUCTION. The Authorized Version introduces the verb from the second member. The Hebrew is elliptical, "A wise son, his father's discipline," _i.e._ is the object or the result of his father's education; he owes his wisdom to it. Septuagint, "A clever (πανοῦργος) son is obedient to his father." BUT A SCORNER (Proverbs 1:22) HEARETH NOT REBUKE; one who mocks at goodness and despises filial piety will not listen to reproof. Septuagint, "A disobedient son is in destruction." Compare the case of Eli's sons, and their fate ...

A WICKED MESSENGER FALLETH INTO MISCHIEF,.... That does not do his errand right, nor deliver his message faithfully; such an one falls from the degree of honour in which he was into disgrace; he loses his master's favour that sent him; he is degraded from his post and office: he falls "by evil", or "into evil" r; by the evil of sin, into the evil of punishment. So wicked ministers and false teachers, such who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ and into angels of light, who corrupt the word of God, and handle it deceitfully; these shall receive their just condemnation; since they do a deal of mischief to the souls of men, and therefore shall fall into mischief themselves, even into everlasting perdition; BUT A FAITHFUL AMBASSADOR [IS] HEALTH; or, "an ambassador of truths" s; one that performs his embassy well and truly, he is salutary, useful, and profitable to himself, and...

CHAPTER 13 THE CONTRAST: ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE The contrast in Proverbs concerning the righteous and the wicked is continued in this chapter, showing mostly the advantage of the righteous, illustrating a statement found in the prophet Isaiah: “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings” Isaiah 3:10). Then the contrast: “Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him” Proverbs 13:11). The righteous eats good by the fruit of his mouth; the transgressor receives violence. There is fatness for the soul of the diligent and nothing for the soul of the sluggard. Righteousness keepeth; wickedness overthrows. While the light of the righteous rejoiceth, the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. These a

PROVERBS 13. This chapter has little that is fresh and no new groups of proverbs. We have a well-known reference to the weariness of waiting for a hope that comes not (Proverbs 13:12 and Proverbs 13:19 a). There is a new proverb relating to the faithfulness of messengers, perhaps with reference to diplomatic missions. PROVERBS 13:5. IS LOATHSOME: render behaves vilely. Proverbs 13:7. Both AV and RV obscure the point of the aphorism, which contrasts two equally obnoxious social shams. Translate, There are poor people who pretend to be rich, and there are rich people who feign they are poor....

MISCHIEF. Hebrew. _ra'a'._ Same word as "evil" in Proverbs 13:19. App-44. HEALTH. healing. Compare Proverbs 12:18....

_falleth_ Hitzig and others, by a slight change of vowels, read _bringeth_, sc. those who sent him, which contrasts better with the bringing of _health_, or _well-being_by the faithful messenger. Comp. Proverbs 25:13. _mischief_ Rather, EVIL, R.V. This proverb must be read in the light of the then common employment of messengers charged with verbal tidings or instructions. The message would in such case depend greatly for its colour and consequences upon the character of the messenger....

TEXT Proverbs 13:10-17 10. By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom. 11. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase. 12. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13. Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death. 15. Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard. 16. Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth his folly. 17. A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health. STUD

2. Read, 'the desire of the treacherous is for violence' (RM)....