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Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs 17:22 Translations
King James Version (KJV)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
American King James Version (AKJV)
A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.
American Standard Version (ASV)
A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
Webster's Revision
A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
World English Bible
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
English Revised Version (ERV)
A merry heart is a good medicine: but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine - Instead of גהה gehah, a medicine, it appears that the Chaldee and Syriac had read in their copies גוה gevah, the body, as they translate in this way. This makes the apposition here more complete: "A merry heart doeth good to the body; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Nothing has such a direct tendency to ruin health and waste out life as grief, anxiety, fretfulness, bad tempers, etc. All these work death.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:22
Doeth good like a medicine - Better, worketh a good healing. Omit "like."
Wesley's Notes on Proverbs 17:22
17:22 Doth good - Even to the body; it contributes much to bodily health and vigour. Drieth - Wastes the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body.
Verses Related to Proverbs 17:22
1 Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 28:27 - He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Philippians 3:12 - Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.