Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

2 A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts.

4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.

A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.

Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.

Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it: anywhere it turns, it prospers.

9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.

He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.

10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.

A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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

12 It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.

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

13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.

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

14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.

The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.

He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.

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

18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.

A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes guarantor in the presence of his friend.

19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.

He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.

He that has a perverse heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.

He that bring forths a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.

A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.

A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24 Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.

Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.

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

26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.

Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.

He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.