Proverbs 17:19
New International Version
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

New Living Translation
Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

English Standard Version
Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

Berean Standard Bible
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

King James Bible
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

New King James Version
He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

New American Standard Bible
One who loves wrongdoing loves strife; One who makes his doorway high seeks destruction.

NASB 1995
He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

NASB 1977
He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who loves transgression loves quarreling; He who makes his doorway high seeks destruction.

Amplified Bible
He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome; He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].

Christian Standard Bible
One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

American Standard Version
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

Contemporary English Version
The wicked and the proud love trouble and keep begging to be hurt.

English Revised Version
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: he that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel. Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.

Good News Translation
To like sin is to like making trouble. If you brag all the time, you are asking for trouble.

International Standard Version
The person who loves transgression loves strife; the person who builds a high gate invites destruction.

Majority Standard Bible
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

NET Bible
The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.

New Heart English Bible
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

Webster's Bible Translation
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

World English Bible
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is loving transgression is loving debate, "" Whoever is making his entrance high is seeking destruction.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.

Smith's Literal Translation
He loving transgression loves contention: he lifting up his gate seeks breaking.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.

New American Bible
Those who love an offense love a fight; those who build their gate high court disaster.

New Revised Standard Version
One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who loves iniquity loves deceit and strife; and he who exalts himself seeks destruction.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that loves evil loves fraud and brawling, and he that exalts his gate seeks ruin for his soul.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He loveth transgression that loveth strife; He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. 19He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. 20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.…

Cross References
James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:1
What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Isaiah 2:12
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Isaiah 14:13-15
You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” / But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Psalm 10:4
In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.

Psalm 73:6
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.


Treasury of Scripture

He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction.

loveth

Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 29:9,22
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest…

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

he that

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 24:27
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

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Builds Debate Destruction Disobedience Door Doorway Entrance Exalteth Fighting Gate High Invites Loves Loving Makes Maketh Making Quarrel Raises Raiseth Seeketh Seeking Seeks Sin Strife Transgression
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Builds Debate Destruction Disobedience Door Doorway Entrance Exalteth Fighting Gate High Invites Loves Loving Makes Maketh Making Quarrel Raises Raiseth Seeketh Seeking Seeks Sin Strife Transgression
Proverbs 17
1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked














He who loves transgression
The Hebrew word for "transgression" is "pesha," which implies a willful rebellion or breach of trust. In the context of Proverbs, it often refers to a deliberate act against God's law or moral order. The phrase suggests that an individual who delights in breaking boundaries or defying authority inherently loves conflict and chaos. This love for transgression is not merely a passive acceptance but an active pursuit, indicating a heart that is inclined towards sin and discord. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of aligning one's desires with God's commandments, as loving transgression is tantamount to loving the very things that separate us from God.

loves strife
The Hebrew word for "strife" is "madon," which denotes contention, dispute, or quarrel. The connection between loving transgression and loving strife is profound; it suggests that those who engage in sinful behavior are naturally drawn to conflict. Strife is often the fruit of transgression, as sin disrupts peace and harmony. In a broader biblical context, strife is seen as contrary to the peace that God desires for His people. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to pursue peace and unity. Thus, this phrase serves as a warning against the destructive nature of sin and the discord it breeds.

he who builds his gate high
In ancient times, a "high gate" symbolized pride, arrogance, and a false sense of security. The act of building a high gate can be seen as an attempt to display power, wealth, or status, often at the expense of humility and reliance on God. The imagery of a high gate also suggests exclusivity and separation from others, which can lead to isolation and vulnerability. From a historical perspective, cities with high gates were often targets for enemies, as they represented a challenge to be conquered. Spiritually, this phrase warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, encouraging believers to find their security in God rather than in worldly achievements or defenses.

invites destruction
The Hebrew word for "destruction" is "sheber," which can mean ruin, collapse, or breaking. The phrase implies that pride and self-exaltation inevitably lead to downfall. In the biblical narrative, this is a recurring theme, as seen in the accounts of individuals and nations who fell due to their arrogance and defiance of God. The invitation to destruction is not a passive occurrence but an active consequence of one's choices. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of humility and dependence on God. It underscores the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

(19) He that exalteth his gate.--Builds himself a sumptuous house.

Verse 19. - He loveth transgression that loveth strife, because strife leads to many breaches of the commandments (comp. Proverbs 29:22; James 1:20). Septuagint, "He who loveth sin rejoices in battles." And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He who builds a sumptuous house and lives in the way that his magnificent surroundings demand draws ruin on himself, either because he affects a state which he is unable to support, or acts so as to provoke reprisals and injurious consequences. The entrance to a Palestinian house would usually be of humble dimensions and sparse ornamentation; any doorway of great architectural pretensions would be uncommon, and would be regarded as a token of extraordinary wealth or reprehensible pride. Aben Ezra, taking "gate" as a metaphor for "mouth," explains the hemistich of the danger of random or excessive speech. This makes a good parallel with the first clause; but it is doubtful whether the words will bear this interpretation (see Hitzig); and the two clauses may present two forms of selfishness, captiousness and ostentation, both of which lead to quarrels and ruin (comp. Proverbs 16:18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who loves
אֹ֣הֵֽב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

transgression
פֶּ֭שַׁע (pe·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6588: Transgression

loves
אֹהֵ֣ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

strife;
מַצָּ֑ה (maṣ·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4683: Strife, contention

he who builds his gate
פִּ֝תְח֗וֹ (piṯ·ḥōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

high
מַגְבִּ֥יהַּ (maḡ·bî·ah)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty

invites
מְבַקֶּשׁ־ (mə·ḇaq·qeš-)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

destruction.
שָֽׁבֶר׃ (šā·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7667: A breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:19 He who loves disobedience loves strife (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 17:18
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