Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
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 servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but YHWH tests the hearts.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to YHWH.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 A friend loves 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 void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander everywhere.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered 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, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
