Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting 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 servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
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 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of 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 Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 A rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore 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 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil 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 when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break out.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an 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 a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
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 friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of 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 loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.
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 fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
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 merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth 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 bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
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 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to 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 cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
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.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
