< Proverbs 17 >

1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than an house full of feasting with strife.
Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
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 shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof availeth 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.
An evil man always seeketh quarrels: 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 better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
He that rendereth 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 there be quarrelling.
The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: he that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth 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 fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
22 A merry heart is a good medicine: but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of judgment.
The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, 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.
Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in 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 sorrow of the mother that bore him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, [nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.
It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge: and he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of 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.
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

< Proverbs 17 >