Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
4 A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
7 Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.
Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 A rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break out.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an abomination to the LORD.
He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.
He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.
He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
