Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices 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 discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
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 Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye 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 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger 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 for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
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 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
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 ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
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 Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
