Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
In Context
16He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and his right hand encounters oil.
18He who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it, and he who regards his master shall be honored.
Cross References
Joshua 2:24And they said to Joshua, Truly LORD has delivered into our hands all the land, and moreover all the inhabitants of the land melt away before us.
1 Samuel 13:20but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
2 Samuel 10:11And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
Proverbs 27:9Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, so [too] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Isaiah 35:3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
1 Thessalonians 3:3for no man to be disturbed by these afflictions. For ye yourselves know that we are set for this.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:16-17
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. 16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself. Here, as before, Solomon laments the case of him that has a peevish passionate wife, that is continually chiding, and making herself and all about her uneasy. 1. It is a grievance that there is no avoiding, for it is like a continual dropping in a very rainy day. The contentions of a neighbour may be like a sharp shower, troublesome for… Read the whole commentary →