Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.6 Childrens children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.19 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

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.