Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting 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 servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.
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 tests the hearts.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives 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.
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 the glory of children are their fathers.
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
He who covers an offence promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
An evil man seeks 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 cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewards 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 like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them 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 is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A friend loves 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 strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways 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 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 grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered 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 keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
