Proverbs 27:17
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
What this verse means
‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another’—we grow through honest, challenging relationships.
Read the full meaningCompare translations
BSBPD
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)KJVPD
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
King James Version · Public DomainASVPD
“Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
American Standard Version · Public DomainYLTPD
“Iron by iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the face of his friend.”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainCross references
Other passages that echo Proverbs 27:17 — 19 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 1:18Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”
- Joshua 2:24“The LORD has surely delivered the entire land into our hands,” they said to Joshua. “Indeed, all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of us.”
- 1 Samuel 11:9So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.
- 1 Samuel 13:20Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles.
- 1 Samuel 23:16And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,
- 2 Samuel 10:11“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.
- Job 4:3Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
- Proverbs 27:9Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
- Proverbs 29:22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
- John 11:29And when Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- 2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
- 2 Timothy 1:12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
- 2 Timothy 2:3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 2:9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
- Hebrews 10:24And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
- James 1:2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- 1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).
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