Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust 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 foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
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 their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to 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 cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
