Proverbs 17

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

Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.

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 does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.

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

The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.

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

A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.

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

Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment.

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

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

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

Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.

8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever it turneth, it prospereth.

An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.

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

He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends.

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

A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.

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

An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.

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

It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.

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

If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.

The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.

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

He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.

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

How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?

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

A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.

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

A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.

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

The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.

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

Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.

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

He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.

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

A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.

23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.

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 him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.

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

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth.

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

To give punishment to the upright is not good, or to give blows to the noble for their righteousness.

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

He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.

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 the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.