箴言 17
1 设筵满屋，大家相争， 不如有块干饼，大家相安。
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 仆人办事聪明，必管辖贻羞之子， 又在众子中同分产业。
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 鼎为炼银，炉为炼金； 惟有耶和华熬炼人心。
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 行恶的，留心听奸诈之言； 说谎的，侧耳听邪恶之语。
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 戏笑穷人的，是辱没造他的主； 幸灾乐祸的，必不免受罚。
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 子孙为老人的冠冕； 父亲是儿女的荣耀。
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 愚顽人说美言本不相宜， 何况君王说谎话呢？
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 贿赂在馈送的人眼中看为宝玉， 随处运动都得顺利。
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 遮掩人过的，寻求人爱； 屡次挑错的，离间密友。
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 一句责备话深入聪明人的心， 强如责打愚昧人一百下。
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 恶人只寻背叛， 所以必有严厉的使者奉差攻击他。
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 宁可遇见丢崽子的母熊， 不可遇见正行愚妄的愚昧人。
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 以恶报善的， 祸患必不离他的家。
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 纷争的起头如水放开， 所以，在争闹之先必当止息争竞。
The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 定恶人为义的，定义人为恶的， 这都为耶和华所憎恶。
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 愚昧人既无聪明， 为何手拿价银买智慧呢？
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 朋友乃时常亲爱， 弟兄为患难而生。
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 在邻舍面前击掌作保 乃是无知的人。
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 喜爱争竞的，是喜爱过犯； 高立家门的，乃自取败坏。
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 心存邪僻的，寻不着好处； 舌弄是非的，陷在祸患中。
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 生愚昧子的，必自愁苦； 愚顽人的父毫无喜乐。
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 喜乐的心乃是良药； 忧伤的灵使骨枯干。
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 恶人暗中受贿赂， 为要颠倒判断。
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 明哲人眼前有智慧； 愚昧人眼望地极。
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 愚昧子使父亲愁烦， 使母亲忧苦。
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 刑罚义人为不善； 责打君子为不义。
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 寡少言语的，有知识； 性情温良的，有聪明。
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 愚昧人若静默不言也可算为智慧； 闭口不说也可算为聪明。
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
