Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of flesh-banquets with strife.
2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
A prudent servant shall rule over a son who causeth shame; Yea, with brothers he shall share the inheritance.
3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
The refining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth hearts.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
An evil-doer listeneth to mischievous lips; And a liar giveth ear to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; He that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Children's children are the crown of the aged, And their fathers the glory of sons.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
Excellent speech becometh not the base; How much less lying lips the noble!
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of him who taketh it; Whithersoever it turneth it hath success.
9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
He who covereth an offence seeketh love; But he who recurreth to a matter removeth a friend.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof will penetrate deeper 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.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore shall a cruel messenger be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her whelps, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso returneth evil 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.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; Therefore leave off contention before it rolleth onward.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
He that justifieth the wicked, And he that condemneth the just, Both alike are 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?
Why should a price be in the hand of a fool To get 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; But in adversity he is born a brother.
18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
A man who lacketh understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
He who loveth strife loveth transgression; He who raiseth high his gate seeketh ruin.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
He that is of a deceitful heart shall find no good; And he that turneth about with his tongue shall fall into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
Whoso begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; Yea, the father of the fool hath no joy.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A merry heart doeth good to the body; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
The wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in 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 grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bore him.
26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
Moreover, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
He that spareth his words is imbued with knowledge; And he that is of a cool 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 is silent, is accounted wise; He that shutteth his lips is a man of understanding.
