Proverbs 17:26
To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
In The King James Version
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
In Context
25A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.
Cross References
Genesis 18:25That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from Thee; shall not the judge of all the earth do justly?'
2 Samuel 3:39And I am this day weak, and just anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me; the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.'
2 Samuel 19:7(19-8) Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak to the heart of thy servants; for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry a man with thee this night; and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that hath befallen thee from thy youth until now.'
Proverbs 17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an abomination to the LORD.
Micah 5:1(4-14) Now shalt thou gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops; they have laid siege against us; they smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:26
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Observe, 1. Wicked children are an affliction to both their parents. They are an occasion of anger to the father (so the word signifies), because they contemn his authority, but of sorrow and bitterness to the mother, because they abuse her tenderness. The parents, being joint-sufferers, should therefore bring mutual comfort to bear them up under it, and strive to make it as easy as they can, the mother to mollify the father's anger,… Read the whole commentary →