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 with it, than an house full of sacrifices 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 wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
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 the hearts.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be 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 old men; and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever 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 very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an 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 a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewardeth 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 withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
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, even they both are 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 is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
A man void of 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 loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate 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 perverse heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
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 doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth 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 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 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.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
