Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.
2 A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
6 The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
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 dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
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 At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, 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 vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a 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 Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
