Proverbs — Chapter 17

1Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

5He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

19He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.

27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6Children`s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

7Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

8A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

26Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.

27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.

1Better is a dry crust of bread where there is quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A servant who acts wisely will rule over an heir who behaves shamefully and will share the inheritance along with the relatives.

3The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold; likewise the Lord tests hearts.

4One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue.

5The one who mocks the poor has insulted his Creator; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

7Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

8A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds.

9The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.

10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.

11An evil person seeks only rebellion, and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs than to encounter a fool in his folly.

13As for the one who repays evil for good, evil will not leave his house.

14Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; abandon strife before it breaks out!

15The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent— both of them are an abomination to the Lord.

16What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom when his head is empty?

17A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity.

18The one who lacks sense strikes hands in pledge and puts up financial security for his neighbor.

19The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.

20The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble.

21Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.

22A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.

24Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish child is a grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

26It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong.

27The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

28Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

4An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

7Arrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

9He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

10A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

17A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

19He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

20One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

21He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

22A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

26Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

27He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.