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 rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of 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 ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.
3 A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.
4 Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving 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 is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers.
7 Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8 Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, 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.
Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10 A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on 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, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And — not a fool in his folly.
13 If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not 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] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
15 The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
Why [is] this — a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
17 A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.
18 It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
19 People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
20 People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in 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.
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
22 A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.
23 The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
24 Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool — at the end of the earth.
25 A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
A provocation to his father [is] a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.
27 If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.
28 Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
