Proverbs 17

1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.

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

3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.

4 A wicked man listens to evil lips;
a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.

5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.

7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9 He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment
more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion;
a merciless official will be sent against him.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool in his folly.

13 If a man pays back evil for good,
evil will never leave his house.

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the Lord detests them both.

16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool,
since he has no desire to get wisdom?

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

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

19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin;
he who builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper;
he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21 To have a fool for a son brings grief;
there is no joy for the father of a fool.

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

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret
to pervert the course of justice.

24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

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

26 It is not good to punish an innocent man,
or to flog officials for their integrity.

27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

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

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 wise 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  t A friend is there to help,
in any situation,
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
and pain to their parents.

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  t Even fools seem smart
when they are quiet.