Proverbs 17:4

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 28:4 : 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.
  • 2 Tim 4:3-4 : 3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.
  • 1 John 4:5 : 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them.
  • Isa 30:10 : 10 They say to the visionaries,“See no more visions!” and to the seers,“Don’t relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us nice things; relate deceptive messages.
  • Jer 5:31 : 31 The prophets prophesy lies. The priests exercise power by their own authority. And my people love to have it this way. But they will not be able to help you when the time of judgment comes!
  • 1 Kgs 22:6-9 : 6 So the king of Israel assembled about four hundred prophets and asked them,“Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” They said,“Attack! The Sovereign One will hand it over to the king.” 7 But Jehoshaphat asked,“Is there not a prophet of the LORD still here, that we may ask him?” 8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat,“There is still one man through whom we can seek the LORD’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat said,“The king should not say such things.” 9 The king of Israel summoned an official and said,“Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” 10 Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said,“This is what the LORD has said,‘With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed.’” 12 All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying,“Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the LORD will hand it over to the king.” 13 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him,“Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success.” 14 But Micaiah said,“As certainly as the LORD lives, I will say what the LORD tells me to say.” 15 When he came before the king, the king asked him,“Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” He answered him,“Attack! You will succeed; the LORD will hand it over to the king.” 16 The king said to him,“How many times must I make you solemnly promise in the name of the LORD to tell me only the truth?” 17 Micaiah said,“I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the LORD said,‘They have no master. They should go home in peace.’” 18 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat,“Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?” 19 Micaiah said,“That being the case, listen to the LORD’s message. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing beside him on his right and on his left. 20 The LORD said,‘Who will deceive Ahab, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there?’ One said this and another that. 21 Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the LORD. He said,‘I will deceive him.’ 22 The LORD asked him,‘How?’ He replied,‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ The LORD said,‘Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed.’ 23 So now, look, the LORD has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the LORD has decreed disaster for you.” 24 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said,“Which way did the LORD’s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?” 25 Micaiah replied,“Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide.” 26 Then the king of Israel said,“Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king’s son. 27 Say,‘This is what the king says,“Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I safely return.”’” 28 Micaiah said,“If you really do safely return, then the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added,“Take note, all you people.”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Prov 17:20
    79%

    20The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble.

  • Prov 6:12
    78%

    12A worthless and wicked person walks around saying perverse things;

  • Prov 16:27
    78%

    27A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire.

  • Prov 12:22
    77%

    22The LORD abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.

  • Prov 26:28
    76%

    28A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

  • Prov 4:24
    76%

    24Remove perverse speech from your mouth; keep devious talk far from your lips.

  • Prov 10:18-20
    3 verses
    76%

    18The one who conceals hatred utters lies, and the one who spreads slander is certainly a fool.

    19When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise.

    20What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value.

  • Prov 19:28
    76%

    28A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

  • Ps 50:19
    76%

    19You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive.

  • Prov 17:23
    76%

    23A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.

  • Prov 29:12
    76%

    12If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.

  • Prov 10:32
    76%

    32The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, but the speech of the wicked is perverse.

  • Prov 26:23-24
    2 verses
    75%

    23Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.

    24The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.

  • Ps 10:7
    75%

    7His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue injures and destroys.

  • Ps 34:13
    75%

    13Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech!

  • Prov 13:5
    75%

    5The righteous person will reject anything false, but the wicked person will act in shameful disgrace.

  • Prov 17:7
    75%

    7Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

  • Prov 12:17
    75%

    17The faithful witness tells what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

  • Prov 24:2
    74%

    2for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm.

  • Prov 19:5
    74%

    5A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment.

  • Ps 31:18
    74%

    18May lying lips be silenced– lips that speak defiantly against the innocent with arrogance and contempt!

  • Prov 16:30
    74%

    30The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips has accomplished evil.

  • Prov 15:28
    74%

    28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

  • Ps 36:3
    74%

    3The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right.

  • Ps 12:2
    74%

    2People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive.

  • Prov 6:17-19
    3 verses
    74%

    17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

    18a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil,

    19a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord among family members.

  • Prov 8:7
    73%

    7For my mouth speaks truth, and my lips hate wickedness.

  • Ps 120:3
    73%

    3How will he severely punish you, you deceptive talker?

  • Job 15:5
    73%

    5Your sin inspires your mouth; you choose the language of the crafty.

  • Prov 15:4
    73%

    4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse speech breaks the spirit.

  • Prov 14:5
    73%

    5A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

  • Prov 21:6
    73%

    6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.

  • Prov 19:9
    73%

    9A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will perish.

  • Prov 6:14
    73%

    14he plots evil with perverse thoughts in his heart, he spreads contention at all times.

  • Prov 20:19
    73%

    19The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.

  • Prov 15:7
    73%

    7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

  • Prov 18:7-8
    2 verses
    73%

    7The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

    8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; and they have gone down into the person’s innermost being.

  • Ps 52:2
    73%

    2Your tongue carries out your destructive plans; it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver.

  • Prov 24:8
    72%

    8The one who plans to do evil will be called a scheming person.

  • Prov 29:24
    72%

    24Whoever shares with a thief is his own enemy; he hears the oath to testify, but does not talk.

  • Ps 52:4
    72%

    4You love to use all the words that destroy, and the tongue that deceives.

  • Prov 12:19
    72%

    19The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.

  • Isa 32:7
    72%

    7A deceiver’s methods are evil; he dreams up evil plans to ruin the poor with lies, even when the needy are in the right.

  • Prov 21:28
    72%

    28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.