Proverbs 17

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

Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims 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 wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

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

As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

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

The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.

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

He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.

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

Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.

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

Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

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

The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.

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

He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

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

A reproof availeth 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.

An evil man always seeketh quarrels: 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 better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.

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

He that rendereth 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 quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.

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

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.

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

What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

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

He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

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

A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.

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

He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

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

He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth 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 fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.

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

A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

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

The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, 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.

Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools 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 the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.

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

It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.

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

He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of 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.

Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.