Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
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 have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
6 The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
17 At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
22 A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to 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 a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
