Proverbs 11:17
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
BSB
ASV
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
KJV
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
SERMON 16:2 (461)
Prayer rises up quickly to the ears of God when lifted up by the recommendation of [alms and fasting]. Since, as it has been written, "the merciful man benefits his own soul," nothing belongs to each individual more than what has been spent on one's neighbor. Part of those physical resources which are used to help the poor become transformed into eternal riches. Born from this generosity are funds which will not be able to be diminished through use nor damaged through decay. "Blessed are the merciful, for God will have mercy on them."
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling. But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, “He frets his flesh off his bones.”
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
leads to
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
Through
James 2:13For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
leads to
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.