Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron;so a man sharpens his friend's countenance.
New Heart English Bible
In The King James Version
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
In Context
16restraining her is like restraining the wind,or like grasping oil in his right hand.
18Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit.He who looks after his master shall be honored.
Cross References
Joshua 2:24They said to Joshua, "Truly the Lord has delivered into our hands all the land. 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 plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle;
2 Samuel 10:11He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
Proverbs 27:9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart;so does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the weak hands,and make firm the feeble knees.
1 Thessalonians 3:3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.
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 →