Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.
2 A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
6 Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils.
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Prudence shines from the face of the wise. 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 who bore him.
A foolish son is the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
