1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.6Children' children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it ?17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17
New International Reader’s Version
1It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace and quiet than to eat a big dinner in a house full of fighting.2A wise servant will rule over a shameful child. He will be given part of the property as if he were a family member.3Fire tests silver, and heat tests gold. But the LORD tests our hearts.4Evil people listen to lies. Lying people listen to evil.5Anyone who laughs at those who are poor makes fun of their Maker. Anyone who is happy when others suffer will be punished.6Grandchildren are like a crown to older people. And children are proud of their parents.7Fancy words don’t belong in the mouths of ungodly fools. And lies certainly don’t belong in the mouths of rulers!8Those who give money think it will buy them favours. They think that no matter where they turn, they will succeed.9Whoever wants to show love forgives a wrong. But those who talk about it separate close friends.10A person who understands what is right learns more from just a warning than a foolish person learns from 100 strokes with a whip.11An evil person tries to keep others from obeying God. The messenger of death will be sent against them.12It is better to meet a bear whose cubs have been stolen than to meet a foolish person who is acting foolishly.13Evil will never leave the house of anyone who pays back evil for good.14Starting to argue is like making a crack in a dam. So drop the matter before a fight breaks out.15The LORD hates two things. He hates it when the guilty are set free. He also hates it when those who aren’t guilty are punished.16Why should a foolish person try to buy wisdom? They are not even able to understand it.17A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes.18A person who has no sense agrees to pay what other people owe. It isn’t wise to promise to pay other people’s bills.19The one who loves to argue loves to sin. The one who builds a high gate is just asking to be destroyed.20If your heart is twisted, you won’t succeed. If your tongue tells lies, you will get into trouble.21It is sad to have a foolish child. The parents of a godless fool have no joy.22A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up.23Anyone who does wrong accepts favours in secret. Then they turn what is right into what is wrong.24Anyone who understands what is right keeps wisdom in view. But the eyes of a foolish person look everywhere else.25A foolish child makes his father sad and his mother sorry.26It isn’t good to fine those who aren’t guilty. So it certainly isn’t good to whip officials just because they are honest.27Anyone who has knowledge controls their words. Anyone who has understanding is not easily upset.28We think even foolish people are wise if they keep silent. We think they understand what is right if they control their tongues.