Proverbs 17

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 amongst the brothers.

³The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,

but the LORD 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 is their parents.

⁷Excellent 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 offence 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 quarrelling breaks out.

¹⁵He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous,

both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

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 neighbour.

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.