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 with it, than a house full of sacrifices [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 wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, 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 fining-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 wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [and] he that is glad at calamities 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 [is] their fathers.
7 High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: 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 it turneth, it 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 repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.
10 A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man 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.
An evil [man] seeketh 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 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.
Whoever 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 withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
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 just, even they both [are] 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] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?
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 striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] 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 mischief.
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 fool 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 doeth good [like] a 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 judgment.
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] a grief 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.
Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.
27 He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
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] a man of understanding.
