Proverbs 17
17
Wisdom’s Virtues
1A simple, humble life with peace and quiet
is far better than an opulent lifestyle with nothing
but quarrels and strife at home.
2A wise, intelligent servant will be honored above a shameful son.
He’ll even end up having a portion left to him in his master’s will.
3In the same way that gold and silver are refined by fire,
the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life.
4Those eager to embrace evil listen to slander,
for a liar loves to listen to lies.
5Mock the poor, will you?
You insult your Creator every time you do!
If you make fun of others’ misfortune,
you’d better watch out—your punishment is on its way.
6Grandparents have the crowning glory of life:
grandchildren!
And it’s only proper for children to take pride in their parents. # 17:6 Or “fathers.” There is an additional verse found in the Septuagint that is inserted here: “A whole world of riches belongs to the faithful, but the unfaithful don’t get even a cent.”
7It is not proper for a leader to lie and deceive,
and don’t expect excellent words to be spoken by a fool. # 17:7 Two absurd things are to find a fool in leadership and to have a leader in foolishness.
8Wise instruction # 17:8 “Instruction” is taken from the Aramaic and the Septuagint. The Hebrew reads “bribe.” is like a costly gem.
It turns the impossible into success.
9Love overlooks the mistakes of others,
but dwelling on the failures of others devastates friendships.
10One word of correction breaks open a teachable heart,
but a fool can be corrected a hundred times
and still not know what hit him.
11Rebellion thrives in an evil man,
so a messenger of vengeance # 17:11 Or “merciless angels.” will be sent to punish him. # 17:11 This could mean an evil spirit or calamities and sorrows.
12It’s safer to meet a grizzly bear robbed of her cubs
than to confront a reckless fool.
13The one who returns evil for good
can expect to be treated the same way for the rest of his life. # 17:13 Or “evil will haunt his house.”
14Don’t be one who is quick to quarrel,
for an argument is hard to stop,
and you never know how it will end,
so don’t even start down that road! # 17:14 The Aramaic for this verse reads “To shed blood provokes the judgment of a ruler.”
15There is nothing God hates more
than condemning the one who is innocent
and acquitting the one who is guilty.
16Why pay tuition to educate a fool?
For he has no intention of acquiring true wisdom.
17A dear friend will love you no matter what,
and a family sticks together through all kinds of trouble.
18It’s stupid to run up bills you’ll never be able to pay
or to cosign for the loan of your friend.
Save yourself the trouble and don’t do either one.
19If you love to argue,
then you must be in love with sin.
For the one who loves to boast # 17:19 Or “he who builds a high gate.” The gate becomes a picture of the mouth. This is a figure of speech for proud boasting. is only asking for trouble.
20The one with a perverse heart never has anything good to say, # 17:20 Or “can expect calamity.”
and the chronic liar tumbles into constant trouble.
21Parents of a numbskull will have many sorrows,
for there’s nothing about his lifestyle that will make them proud.
22A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul.
But the one whose heart is crushed
struggles with sickness and depression.
23When you take a secret bribe,
your actions reveal your true character,
for you pervert the ways of justice.
24Even the face of a wise man shows his intelligence.
But the wandering eyes of a fool will look for wisdom everywhere
except right in front of his nose.
25A father grieves over the foolishness of his child,
and bitter sorrow fills his mother.
26It’s horrible to persecute a holy lover of God
or to strike an honorable man for his integrity!
27Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure?
That’s how you show that you are wise.
An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected,
no matter what you’re facing.
28When even a fool bites his tongue # 17:28 The Septuagint is “When an unthinking man asks a question.”
he’s considered wise.
So shut your mouth when you are provoked—
it will make you look smart.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 17: TPT
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Passion Translation® is a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Learn More About The Passion TranslationProverbs 17
17
1Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.
2A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
3The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
4A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool –
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.
9Whoever would foster love covers over an offence,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.
13Evil will never leave the house
of one who pays back evil for good.
14Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent –
the Lord detests them both.
16Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?
17A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbour.
19Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23The wicked accept bribes in secret
to pervert the course of justice.
24A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
26If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
28Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.