Proverbs, 17

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

1. Better a crust of dry bread in peace than the discord of a house full of feasting.

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

2. A shrewd servant will replace the foolish son of the master and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

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

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

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

4. The evil plotter listens to the lips of liars; and the liar gives an ear to the corrupt tongue.

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

5. He who mocks the poor insults their Creator, he who laughs at the deprived will not go unpunished.

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

6. The crown of the aged is their children's children, the children's glory is their father.

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

7. Noble language does not suit the fool and even less do lies suit a prince.

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

8. The giver of gifts possesses a treasure, wherever he goes he will succeed.

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

9. Whoever covers over a fault promotes friendships, but he who reveals a word divides friends.

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

10. A discerning man is more impressed by a reprimand than a fool is by a hundred lashes.

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

11. The wicked man seeks nothing but rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

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

12. It is better to meet with a bear deprived of her cubs than with a fool in his foolishness.

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

13. He who repays good with evil will not rid his house of evil.

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

14. To begin legal proceedings is like opening a dam; withdraw before the dispute erupts.

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

15. To excuse the guilty and condemn the just: both are detestable to Yahweh.

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

16. What good is money in a fool's hand? How can he buy wisdom? He has no sense.

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

17. A friend will love you at all times, a brother has been born to you for times of adversity.

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

18. He who is full of promises and goes bail for his neighbor has no sense.

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

19. The sinner loves disputes, the man of arrogant words hastens his own ruin.

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

20. The man of double-dealing does not find happiness, the sly tongue falls into disgrace.

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

21. He who fathers a fool has acquired misery, there is no joy for a fool's father.

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

22. A joyful heart gives health to the body, while a sad spirit dries up the bones.

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

23. The corrupt man takes bribes to pervert the course of justice.

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

24. The discerning man keeps wisdom before his eyes; the fool's eyes are on every corner of the world.

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

25. The foolish son is a worry to his father and distress to her who gave him birth.

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

26. It is not right to fine the upright; the noble ought not to be beaten.

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

27. The prudent of speech are wise; he who keeps his temper is an educated man.

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

28. Then the fool, if silent, can pass as wise; the clever man keeps his lips sealed.