Proverbs 17
1 Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
2 A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
16 Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
