Proverbs 17

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

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

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

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

3 The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

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

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

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

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be 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 old men; the glory of children is their parents.

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

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

8 A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

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

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.

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

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

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

11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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

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

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

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

Whoever rewards 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 it be meddled with.

The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

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

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

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

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

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

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

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

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

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

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

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

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

He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

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

23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

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

24 Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth.

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to 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 brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

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

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

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

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

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.