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 and quietness therewith, 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 that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
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 trieth the hearts.
4 An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that 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; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.
8 As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.
10 A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
A rebellious man seeketh only evil; 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 whelps 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.
Whoso rewardeth 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 as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break 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 that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both 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?
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
A friend loveth 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 is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
22 A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
A wicked man taketh a gift 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 at the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in 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 is vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27 He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.
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 holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.
