Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
