Proverbs 17
1 Better is a piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4 An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
7 High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
