17:13

In this verse, the second line gives the consequence of the action in the first line.

13a If anyone returns evil for good,

13b evil will never leave his house.

Notice that the “evil” consequence is more severe than the “evil” action in the first line. It “will never leave,” and it will affect the man’s household as well as the man himself.

The Berean Standard Bible translates the first line as an “if” clause. The God’s Word translates it as a statement, as in the Hebrew. It has:

13a Whoever pays back evil for good—

13b evil will never leave his home.

Some versions change the order of the clauses. For example:

13b Evil will not depart from the house

13a of one who returns evil for good. (New Revised Standard Version)

You should use the option that most effectively communicates the meaning of this verse.

17:13a

If anyone returns evil for good: The implied context of this clause is that someone has said or done something kind or helpful for the person mentioned here (the anyone). Instead of showing his gratitude, this person says or does something bad or harmful in return. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If you repay good with evil (Good News Translation)
-or-
Whoever gives evil in return for good (New Century Version)
-or-
if you are mean to those who are good to you (Contemporary English Version)

17:13b

evil will never leave his house: There is a figure of speech in this line. Here evil is personified as a guest who resides permanently in the person’s house. This line means that the man who did the evil deed will always experience bad things, along with his household or family.

evil: The word evil probably refers to bad or harmful things or events, such as trouble, disaster, or illness.

Some ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the personification. For example:

Disaster will never be far from the house (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

will always have trouble at home (New Century Version)

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