In Proverbs 17 of Proverbs .
An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
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אַךְ ־ akh only אַךְ akh only אַךְ particle, affirmation — “only” H389 a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). מְרִ֥י meri bitter מְרִ֥י meri bitter מְרִי noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “bitter”, the ordinary form H4805 bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious bitter, (most) rebel(-lion, -lious). יְבַקֶּשׁ ־ yevaqesh beseech יְבַקֶּשׁ yevaqesh beseech בָּקַשׁ verb, piel, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “beseech”, an unfinished action H1245 to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). רָ֑ע ra bad רָ֑ע ra bad רַע adjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “bad”, the ordinary form H7451 bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery… וּמַלְאָ֥ךְ umalakhe and angel וּמַלְאָ֥ךְ umalakhe and angel מֲלְאָךְ conjunction, noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “and angel”, the ordinary form H4397 a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) ambassador, angel, king, messenger. אַ֝כְזָרִ֗י akhzari cruel אַ֝כְזָרִ֗י akhzari cruel אַכְזָרִי adjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “cruel”, the ordinary form H394 terrible cruel (one). יְשֻׁלַּח ־ yeshulach send יְשֻׁלַּח yeshulach send שָׁלַח verb, pual, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “send”, an unfinished action H7971 to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, ou… בּֽוֹ ׃ bvo in בּֽוֹ bvo in בּֽוֹ preposition, suffix, pronominal, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “in” in Jewish translation (JPS 1917)
A rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Compare Public-Domain Translations The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.
American Standard Version (1901) An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Young’s Literal Translation An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
World English Bible An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Darby Translation An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Douay-Rheims An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
Jewish Publication Society (1917) A rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851) Ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακὸς, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.
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Jewish texts of this verse
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.