Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
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 that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
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, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
