Proverbs 17
1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 A wise servant rules over a son causing shame, And he apportions an inheritance in the midst of brothers.
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] YHWH.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 An evildoer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 Whoever is mocking at the poor Has reproached his Maker, Whoever is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 Sons’ sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 A lip of excellence is not fitting for a fool, much less a lip of falsehood for a noble.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Wherever it turns, it prospers.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 Whoever is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoever is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 Rebuke comes down on the intelligent More than one hundred stripes on a fool.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And—not a fool in his folly.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 Whoever is returning evil for good, Evil does not move from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And leave the strife before it is meddled with.
The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 Whoever is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to YHWH.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Why [is] this—a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart—there is none?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 The friend is loving at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 A man lacking heart is striking hands, He becomes a guarantor before his friend.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 Whoever is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoever is making his entrance high is seeking destruction.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 The perverse of heart does not find good, And the [one] turned in his tongue falls into evil.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 Whoever is begetting a fool has affliction for it, Indeed, the father of a fool does not rejoice.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A rejoicing heart does good to the body, And a struck spirit dries the bone.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 The wicked takes a bribe from the bosom, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool—at the end of the earth.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 A foolish son [is] a provocation to his father, And bitterness to her bearing him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Also, [it] is not good to fine the righteous, To strike nobles for uprightness.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips [seems] intelligent!
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
