Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting 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 servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4 Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
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; the glory of children are their parents.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?
17 At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander everywhere.
25 A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
