Proverbios 17
1 Mejor es un bocado seco, y en paz, que la casa de contienda llena de sacrificios de fiesta.
Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.
2 El siervo prudente se enseñoreará del hijo que deshonra, y entre los hermanos compartirá la herencia.
A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.
3 El crisol para la plata, y la hornaza para el oro; mas el SEÑOR prueba los corazones.
The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
4 El malo está atento al labio inicuo; y el mentiroso escucha a la lengua maldiciente.
A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.
5 El que escarnece al pobre, afrenta a su Hacedor; y el que se alegra en la calamidad ajena, no quedará sin castigo.
Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment.
6 Corona de los viejos son los hijos de los hijos; y la honra de los hijos, sus padres.
Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 No conviene al loco la altilocuencia; ¡cuánto menos al príncipe el labio mentiroso!
Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
8 Piedra preciosa es el cohecho en ojos de sus dueños; a donde quiera que se vuelve, da prosperidad.
An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.
9 El que cubre la prevaricación, busca el amor; mas el que reitera el asunto, aparta los amigos.
He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends.
10 Aprovecha la reprensión en el entendido, más que cien azotes en el loco.
A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.
11 El rebelde no busca sino mal; y mensajero cruel será enviado contra él.
An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.
12 Mejor es que se encuentre un hombre con una osa a la cual han robado sus cachorros, que con un loco en su locura.
It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.
13 El que da mal por bien, no se apartará el mal de su casa.
If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.
14 Soltar las aguas ( hablar precipitadamente ) es el principio de la contienda; pues, antes que se revuelva el pleito, déjalo.
The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.
15 El que justifica al impío, y el que condena al justo, ambos por igual son abominación al SEÑOR.
He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.
16 ¿De qué sirve el precio en la mano del loco para comprar sabiduría, no teniendo corazón para entender?
How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?
17 En todo tiempo ama el amigo; mas el hermano para la angustia es nacido.
A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.
18 El hombre falto de entendimiento toca la mano, fiando a otro delante de su amigo.
A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.
19 La prevaricación ama el que ama pleito; y el que alza su portada, quebrantamiento busca.
The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.
20 El perverso de corazón nunca hallará bien; y el que revuelve con su lengua, caerá en mal.
Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.
21 El que engendra al loco, para su tristeza lo engendra; y el padre del loco no se alegrará.
He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.
22 El corazón alegre hará bien como una medicina; mas el espíritu triste seca los huesos.
A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
23 El impío toma dádiva en secreto para pervertir las veredas del derecho.
A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.
24 En el rostro del entendido aparece la sabiduría; mas los ojos del loco manifiestan su locura hasta el cabo de la tierra.
Wisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
25 El hijo loco es enojo a su padre, y amargura a la que lo engendró.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth.
26 Ciertamente no es bueno condenar al justo, ni herir a los príncipes por hacer lo recto.
To give punishment to the upright is not good, or to give blows to the noble for their righteousness.
27 El que detiene sus palabras tiene sabiduría; y de espíritu valioso es el hombre entendido.
He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.
28 Aun el loco cuando calla, es contado por sabio; el que cierra sus labios es entendido.
Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
