A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
Parallel translations
- WEB A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
- KJV A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
- NKJV A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health.
- NASB A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful messenger brings healing.
- NLT An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An unreliable messenger causes harm, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Trustworthiness in carrying out a charge matters greatly.
Overview
In the ancient world a messenger's reliability could determine peace or disaster, so the proverb commends the faithful envoy who brings healing rather than trouble. It highlights the value of integrity in those entrusted with responsibility. Christ is the supremely faithful messenger of the new covenant, bringing the healing news of reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 25:13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- Ezek 33:7–8As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.
- 1 Cor 4:2Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
- 2 Cor 5:20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
- 2 Tim 2:2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
- 1 Tim 1:12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
- Ezek 3:18If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.
- Jer 23:13–16“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.
- 2 Cor 2:17For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
- Prov 26:6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
- Prov 10:26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
- Jer 23:28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.
- Prov 25:23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 13:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.