Proverbs 17
1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
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 their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
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 that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to 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 cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 [It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
