Proverbs 17
1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust 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 foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 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.
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 their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.
16 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.
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 Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 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.
A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to 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 cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
A foolish son is the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 [It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
