Proverbs 17

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

Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, 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 that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

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 trieth the hearts.

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

A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

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

Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that 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; and the glory of children are their fathers.

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

Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.

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

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.

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

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.

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

A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

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

A rebellious man seeketh only evil; 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 whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth 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 as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break out.

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

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both 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]?

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

17 A friend loveth 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 striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.

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

He loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

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

He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.

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

He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.

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

A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

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

A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, 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 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 vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

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

To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

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

He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.

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 holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.