Proverbs 27:17 kjva — Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

King James Version with Apocrypha

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

— Proverbs 27:17, King James Version with Apocrypha

Read in Another Translation

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Proverbs 27:17 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Proverbs 27 — Context

14

He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

15

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

16

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

17

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

20

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Proverbs 27:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 27:17 say?
Proverbs 27:17 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Where is Proverbs 27:17 in the Bible?
Proverbs 27:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 17.
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 27:17.
What translation should I read Proverbs 27:17 in?
Proverbs 27:17 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 27:17?
Proverbs 27:17 reads (KJVA): “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” 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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