Proverbs 17

1 Better is a piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.

Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.

2 An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.

A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.

3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.

As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.

4 An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.

A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.

He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.

6 The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.

Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.

7 High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.

Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

8 As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.

He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.

10 A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.

A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.

11 Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.

Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

12 A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.

Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.

13 Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.

Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.

14 As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.

Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.

15 He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.

He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.

16 Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.

17 A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.

Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.

18 A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.

A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.

A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;

20 He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.

and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;

21 He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.

and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.

22 A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.

A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.

The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth.

The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.

A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.

26 To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.

[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.

27 He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.

He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.

28 Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.

Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.