Proverbs 17
1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
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 shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth 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.
He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be 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.
Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
A reproof availeth 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.
An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before 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 doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, 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.
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in 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 hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth 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 fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up 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 wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, 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.
Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in 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 sorrow of the mother that bore him.
26 [It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of 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.
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
