Proverbs 17
1 Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among 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 heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment.
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 Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.
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 gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son 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 glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on 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 bitter pain to her who gave him birth.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 To give punishment to the upright is not good, or to give blows to the noble for their righteousness.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
