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 quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.
3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity 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; the glory of children is their parents.
7 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
He who covers an offence promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger 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.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewards 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 strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.
15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.
19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways 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.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander 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 brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
