Proverbs 17
1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife.
A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
6 Children’s children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.
Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.
Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.
Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.
16 Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?
What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils.
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth.
Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on 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 the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.
It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
