Proverbs 17:20 bbe — Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.

Bible in Basic English

"Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble."

— Proverbs 17:20, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

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Proverbs 17:20 in Other Translations

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Proverbs 17 — Context

17

A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.

18

A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.

19

The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.

20

Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.

21

He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.

22

A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.

23

A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.

Proverbs 17:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 17:20 say?
Proverbs 17:20 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.”
Where is Proverbs 17:20 in the Bible?
Proverbs 17:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 20.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 17:20.
What translation should I read Proverbs 17:20 in?
Proverbs 17:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 17:20?
Proverbs 17:20 reads (BBE): “Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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