Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
Better is a piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.
2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.
3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.
16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
A foolish son is a vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.
26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
