Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tests the hearts.
A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers.
7 Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And — not a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?
Why [is] this — a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander everywhere.
The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool — at the end of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
A provocation to his father [is] a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
