Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions amongst brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous 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 reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
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 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory 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 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever it turneth, it prospereth.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
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 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
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 fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
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 merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
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 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool 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 foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
