Proverbs 17
17
1Better a dry crust eaten in peace
than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.
2A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.
3Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
4Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander.
5Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
6Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
parents#17:6 Hebrew fathers. are the pride of their children.
7Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
8A bribe is like a lucky charm;
whoever gives one will prosper!
9Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.
10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
11Evil people are eager for rebellion,
but they will be severely punished.
12It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
13If you repay good with evil,
evil will never leave your house.
14Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
both are detestable to the Lord.
16It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
since he has no heart for learning.
17A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.
18It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for a friend.
19Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
20The crooked heart will not prosper;
the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
21It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
23The wicked take secret bribes
to pervert the course of justice.
24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25Foolish children#17:25 Hebrew A foolish son. bring grief to their father
and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
26It is wrong to punish the godly for being good
or to flog leaders for being honest.
27A truly wise person uses few words;
a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
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Proverbs 17: NLT
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 17
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 among the brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,
but Yahweh 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 offense 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 quarreling breaks out.
15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous,
both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
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 neighbor.
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.
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