Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than an house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in 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 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.

4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamity 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 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

8 A gift is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding than an hundred stripes into a fool.

A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth 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 strife is [as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before there be quarrelling.

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 righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?

Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.

A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: he that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

22 A merry heart is a good medicine: but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of judgment.

A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding: but the eyes of a fool 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 a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, [nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.

Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge: and he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.