Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your 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 a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
