Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4 The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
Children's children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
7 Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?
17 He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander everywhere.
25 A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
