Proverbs 17:22
20 The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
- KJV
- A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- WEB
- A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- ASV
- A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
- DARBY
- A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
- BLB
- A joyful heart is good healing, and a spirit stricken dries up the bones.
- ÅB
- Et glad hjerte gir god legedom, men et nedslått mot tar margen fra benene.
- OTB
- Et muntert hjerte er god medisin, men en brutt ånd tørker opp benene.
- B1930
- Et glad hjerte gir god lægedom, men et nedslått mot tar margen fra benene.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 15:13
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
Read in contextProverbs 12:25
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
Read in contextProverbs 18:14
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
Read in context2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 9:7–9
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works:
Read in contextRomans 5:2–5
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Read in context2 Corinthians 2:7
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Read in contextPsalms 102:3–5
For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
Read in context