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 is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions amongst brethren.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
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.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
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.
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
He who covers an offence promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.
15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
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.
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls 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.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 [It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
