Proverbs 17

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

Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices [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 wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

The fining-pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

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

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [and] he that is glad at calamities 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; and the glory of children [is] their fathers.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

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

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

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

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.

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

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.

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

An evil [man] seeketh 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 whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Whoever rewardeth 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 as] when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] 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] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

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

A friend loveth 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 striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

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

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

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

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

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

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

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

A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

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

A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

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 him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

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

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

Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.

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

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

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 holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.