Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than an house full of feasting with strife.
A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.
2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 A gift is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before there be quarrelling.
Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils.
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: he that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 A merry heart is a good medicine: but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of judgment.
The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths 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.
Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
A foolish son is the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, [nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.
It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge: and he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: when he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
