Proverbs 17

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

A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.

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 wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.

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

Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.

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

The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.

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

Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.

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

Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.

7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.

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

The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.

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

Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.

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

A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

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

The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.

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

It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.

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

Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.

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

Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.

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

Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.

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

What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils.

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

Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.

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

A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.

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

Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.

20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.

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

A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.

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

A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.

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

The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.

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

Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on 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 the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.

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

It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.

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

Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.

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

If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.