Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Better is a piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
5 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children is their fathers.
The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever it turneth, it prospereth.
As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at 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 vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
