Proverbs 27:17
Iron makes iron sharp; so a man makes sharp his friend.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
In Context
16He who keeps secret the secret of his friend, will get himself a name for good faith.
Cross References
Joshua 2:24And they said to Joshua, Truly, the Lord has given all the land into our hands; and all the people of the land have become like water because of us.
1 Samuel 13:20But all the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their ploughs and blades and axes and hooks made sharp;
2 Samuel 10:11And he said, If the Aramaeans are stronger and get the better of me, then you are to come to my help; but if the children of Ammon get the better of you, I will come to your help.
Proverbs 27:9Oil and perfume make glad the heart, and the wise suggestion of a friend is sweet to the soul.
Isaiah 35:3Make strong the feeble hands, give support to the shaking knees.
1 Thessalonians 3:3So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us.
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 →