Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of flesh-banquets with strife.

2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

A prudent servant shall rule over a son who causeth shame; Yea, with brothers he shall share the inheritance.

3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

The refining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth hearts.

4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

An evil-doer listeneth to mischievous lips; And a liar giveth ear to a destructive tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; He that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

Children's children are the crown of the aged, And their fathers the glory of sons.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

Excellent speech becometh not the base; How much less lying lips the noble!

8 A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of him who taketh it; Whithersoever it turneth it hath success.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

He who covereth an offence seeketh love; But he who recurreth to a matter removeth a friend.

10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

A reproof will penetrate deeper into a wise man Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

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

An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore shall a cruel messenger be sent against him.

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

Let a man meet a bear robbed of her whelps, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

Whoso returneth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; Therefore leave off contention before it rolleth onward.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

He that justifieth the wicked, And he that condemneth the just, Both alike are an abomination to the LORD.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

Why should a price be in the hand of a fool To get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

17 A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

A friend loveth at all times; But in adversity he is born a brother.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

A man who lacketh understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

He who loveth strife loveth transgression; He who raiseth high his gate seeketh ruin.

20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

He that is of a deceitful heart shall find no good; And he that turneth about with his tongue shall fall into mischief.

21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

Whoso begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; Yea, the father of the fool hath no joy.

22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

A merry heart doeth good to the body; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

The wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of judgment.

24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bore him.

26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.

Moreover, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their equity.

27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

He that spareth his words is imbued with knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.

Even a fool, when he is silent, is accounted wise; He that shutteth his lips is a man of understanding.