Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of flesh-banquets with strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A prudent servant shall rule over a son who causeth shame; Yea, with brothers he shall share 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 refining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth hearts.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 An evil-doer listeneth to mischievous lips; And a liar giveth ear to a destructive tongue.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; He that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.
He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of the aged, And their fathers the glory of sons.
Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not the base; How much less lying lips the noble!
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of him who taketh it; Whithersoever it turneth it hath success.
A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He who covereth an offence seeketh love; But he who recurreth to a matter removeth a friend.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof will penetrate deeper into a wise man Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore shall a cruel messenger be sent against him.
An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her whelps, Rather than a fool in his folly.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso returneth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; Therefore leave off contention before it rolleth onward.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, And he that condemneth the just, Both alike are 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 Why should a price be in the hand of a fool To get 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; But in adversity he is born a brother.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man who lacketh understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He who loveth strife loveth transgression; He who raiseth high his gate seeketh ruin.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that is of a deceitful heart shall find no good; And he that turneth about with his tongue shall fall into mischief.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 Whoso begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; Yea, the father of the fool hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good to the body; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 The wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of judgment.
A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in 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 grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bore him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 Moreover, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their equity.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that spareth his words is imbued with knowledge; And he that is of a cool 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 is silent, is accounted wise; He that shutteth his lips is 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.
