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 therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [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 have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Whoso 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; 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.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks 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 cubs 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 rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewardeth 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 as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
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, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?
17 A friend loves 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 strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways 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 [is] before him that hath 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 that bare him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered 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 keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
