Proverbs 17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 17

Our thoughts are tested by the Lord

1 A dry crust of bread eaten
in peace and quiet
is better than a feast eaten
where everyone argues.

2 A hard-working slave
will be placed in charge
of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
that each child receives.

3 Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the Lord.

4 Troublemakers listen
to troublemakers,
and liars listen to liars.

5 By insulting the poor,
you insult your Creator.
You will be punished
if you make fun
of someone in trouble.

6 Grandparents are proud
of their grandchildren,
and children should be proud
of their parents.

7 It sounds strange for a fool
to talk sensibly,
but it's even worse
for a ruler to tell lies.

8 A bribe works miracles
like a magic charm
that brings good luck.

9 You will keep your friends
if you forgive them,
but you will lose your friends
if you keep talking about
what they did wrong.

10 A sensible person
accepts correction,
but you can't beat sense
into a fool.

11 Cruel people want to rebel,
and so vicious attackers
will be sent against them.

12 A bear robbed of her cubs
is far less dangerous
than a stubborn fool.

13 You will always have trouble
if you are mean to those
who are good to you.

14 The start of an argument
is like a water leak—
so stop it before
real trouble breaks out.

15 The Lord doesn't like those
who defend the guilty
or condemn the innocent.

16 Why should fools have money
for an education
when they refuse to learn?

17 A friend is always a friend,
and relatives are born
to share our troubles.

18 It's stupid to guarantee
someone else's loan.

19 The wicked and the proud
love trouble and keep begging
to be hurt.

20 Dishonesty does you no good,
and telling lies
will get you in trouble.

21 It's never pleasant
to be the parent of a fool
and have nothing but pain.

22 If you are cheerful,
you feel good;
if you are sad,
you hurt all over.

23 Crooks accept secret bribes
to keep justice
from being done.

24 Anyone with wisdom knows
what makes good sense,
but fools can never
make up their minds.

25 Foolish children bring sorrow
to their father
and pain to their mother.

26 It isn't fair
to punish the innocent
and those who do right.

27 It makes a lot of sense
to be a person of few words
and to stay calm.

28 Even fools seem clever
when they are quiet.