Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims 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 rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
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 the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
12 It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.
He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.
The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
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.
17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
22 A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in 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 the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
