Proverbs 17
1 Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
2 A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
3 A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
4 Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
5 Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
7 Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
8 Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
9 If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
10 A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
11 Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
13 If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
15 The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
16 Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
17 A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
18 It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
19 People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
20 People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
21 A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
22 A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
23 The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
25 A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
26 It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
27 If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
28 Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
