Proverbs 17

1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices [with] strife.

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

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes 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 tries the hearts.

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

A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue.

5 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Whoso mocks the poor reproaches 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 [is] their fathers.

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

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

Excellent speech becomes 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 has it: anywhere it turns, it prospers.

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

He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.

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

A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes 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 whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

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

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

14 The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.

The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16 Why [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

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 friend.

A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes guarantor in the presence of his friend.

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

He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction.

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

He that has a perverse heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

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

He that bring forths a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy.

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

A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

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

A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

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

Wisdom is before him that has 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 bore him.

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

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

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

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

He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

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

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.