Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
2 A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
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 are their fathers.
7 Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
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.
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools 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 the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness 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.
To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
