What does Proverbs 17:13 mean?

Proverbs 17:13 states a simple but weighty truth: if someone repays kindness with wickedness—responding to good treatment by doing harm in return—that person will not escape trouble. The consequence described, "evil shall not depart from his house," suggests that misfortune will settle in and remain a lasting presence in that person's life and household, not just a passing incident.

Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon, though the book as a whole represents wisdom collected and compiled over time for the instruction of Israel's youth, particularly those preparing for life in the community and often for roles of responsibility. The proverbs were written to be practical, memorable guides for righteous living, contrasting the paths of wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness. This particular verse fits within a larger section of Proverbs 17 that deals with themes of loyalty, integrity, and the consequences of one's actions toward others, especially in relationships and community life.

Theologically, this verse reflects the biblical principle of moral cause and effect—what is often called the law of the harvest, where actions produce corresponding consequences (see also Galatians 6:7). Repaying good with evil is portrayed not merely as ungrateful but as a fundamental betrayal of the relational order God intends for human community. Scripture consistently condemns this kind of treachery (see Psalm 35:12, Psalm 109:5), and here the proverb warns that such behavior invites ongoing misfortune rather than escaping notice or consequence. The verse assumes a moral universe where evil deeds