Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
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.
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 their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
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.
17 He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
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.
22 A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
