Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
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 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 Jehovah tries the hearts.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 An evil man seeks 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 man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, 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 He who rewards 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 like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
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 who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
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 buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 A friend loves 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 strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has 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 who bore him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
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 holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
