Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
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 acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children is their fathers.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever it turneth, it prospereth.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
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 stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
