Proverbs 17

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

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

2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.

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

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.

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

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

5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.

Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.

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

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

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

He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.

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

A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeks 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 cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

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

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

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

14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

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

He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

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

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

17 A friend loves 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 strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

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

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

He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.

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

He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

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

He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

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

A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

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

A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

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

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

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

Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.

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

He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

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

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.