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Proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs › Chapter 17 › Proverbs 17:19

What Does Proverbs 17:19 Mean?

He who loves transgression loves strife,And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.Proverbs 17:19 · NKJV

Quick answer

The two loves come together. And the second line is about a man building something conspicuous, which the verse treats as asking for trouble.

Read both lines

The first line pairs two appetites that are usually discussed separately and says they are one taste: a person who enjoys crossing lines will also enjoy the fight that follows, because the fight is part of the appeal. The second line's image is architectural and slightly obscure, a man raising his gate higher than his neighbors', which in an ancient town was ostentation and possibly provocation. Read with the first line, the verse is describing a life arranged to attract conflict and then surprised when conflict arrives.

Related: Proverbs 16:18 · Proverbs 17:14 · Proverbs 18:12

New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. Full copyright information. Scripture provided by API.Bible.

Go Deeper

If this verse has been used to put weight on you that it was never carrying, ask about it directly.