Proverbs 17
1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, 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 fining 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 wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities 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 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: 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 it turneth, it 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 repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: 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 it be meddled with.
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 just, even they both [are] 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 get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?
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 striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] 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 mischief.
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 fool 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 doeth good [like] a 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 judgment.
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] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.
Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
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] a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
