Proverbs 13:17

“A wicked messenger falleth into mischief, etc.] That does not do his errand right, nor deliver his message faithfully; such an one falls from the degree of honour in which he was into disgrace; he loses his master’s favour that sent him; he is degraded from his post and office: he falls “by evil”, or “into evil”f378; by the evil of sin, into the evil of punishment. So wicked ministers and false teachers, such who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ and into angels of light, who corrupt the word of God, and handle it deceitfully; these shall receive their just condemnation; since they do a deal of mischief to the souls of men, and therefore shall fall into mischief themselves,…”

“A wicked--or, "unfaithful" messenger falleth into mischief--or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.”

“A messenger - Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge. Is health - Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself. Proverbs 13:19”

“13:17 Oral messages were the primary form of communication, so an unreliable messenger delivering the wrong message could incite all kinds of trouble.”

“wicked: Pro 10:26, Pro 26:6; Jer 23:13-16, Jer 23:28; Eze 3:18, Eze 33:7, Eze 33:8; Co2 2:17 but: Pro 25:13, Pro 25:23; Co1 4:2; Co2 5:20; Ti1 1:12; Ti2 2:2 a faithful ambassador: Heb. an ambassador of faithfulness Proverbs 13:18”

“17 A godless messenger falls into trouble; But a faithful messenger is a cordial. The traditional text, which the translations also give (except Jerome, nuntius impii, and leaving out of view the lxx, which makes of Pro 13:17 a history of a foolhardy king and a wise messenger), has not מלאך, but מלאך; the Masora places the word along with המלאך, Gen 48:16. And יפל is likewise testified to by all translators; they all read it as Kal, as the traditional text punctuates it; Luther alone departs from this and translates the Hiph.: "a godless messenger bringeth misfortune." Indeed, this conj. יפּל presses itself forward; and even though one read יפּל, the sense intended by virtue of the…”