Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 17

1Better is a dry piece of bread and rest with it, Than a house filled with slaughters of strife.

2A wise servant rules over a son who causes shame, And shares an inheritance among the brothers.

3A refining pot is for silver and a furnace for gold, But יהוה tries the hearts.

4An evil-doer gives heed to wicked lips; A liar gives ear to a tongue of desire.

5He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity does not go unpunished.

6Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the adornment of children is their fathers.

7Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less lying lips for a noble.

8A bribe is a stone of favour in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

10Reproof enters deeper into a wise man Than a hundred strikes on a fool.

11An evil one seeks only rebellion, So a cruel messenger is sent against him.

12Let a bereaved bear meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil does not leave his house.

14The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop fighting before it breaks out.

15He who declares the wrong right, And he who condemns the righteous, Both of them are an abomination to יהוה.

16Why is this – a price in the hand Of a fool to buy wisdom, When there is no heart?

17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

18A man lacking heart shakes hands in a pledge, He becomes a guarantor for his friend.

19He who loves transgression loves strife, He who exalts his door seeks destruction.

20He who has a crooked heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

21He who brings forth a fool has sorrow for it, And the father of a fool has no joy.

22A rejoicing heart causes good healing, But a stricken spirit dries the bones.

23One who is wrong accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the paths of right-ruling.

24Wisdom is before the face of the understanding one, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

26It is also not good to punish the righteous one, To strike noble ones for straightness.

27He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is cool of spirit.

28Even a fool keeping silence is regarded as wise, As understanding, when he closes his lips.

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Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 17: TS2009

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Proverbs 17

1Better a bite of dry bread ⌞eaten⌟ in peace

than a family feast filled with strife.

2A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully,

and he will share the inheritance with the brothers.

3The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold,

but the one who purifies hearts ⌞by fire⌟ is the Lord.

4An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips.

A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue.

5Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker.

Whoever is happy ⌞to see someone’s⌟ distress will not escape punishment.

6Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents,

and parents are the glory of their children.

The Consequences of Being a Fool

7Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool.

How much less does lying fit a noble person!

8A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it.#17:8 Or “who receives it.”

Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9Whoever forgives an offense seeks love,

but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.

10A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding

more than a hundred lashes impress a fool.

11A rebel looks for nothing but evil.

Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent ⌞to punish⌟ him.

12Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs

than a fool ⌞carried away⌟ with his stupidity.

13Whoever pays back evil for good—

evil will never leave his home.

14Starting a quarrel is ⌞like⌟ opening a floodgate,

so stop before the argument gets out of control.

15Whoever approves of wicked people

and whoever condemns righteous people

is disgusting to the Lord.

16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom

when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything?

17A friend always loves,

and a brother is born to share trouble.

18A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake.

He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend.

19Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel.

Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.

20A twisted mind never finds happiness,

and one with a devious tongue ⌞repeatedly⌟ gets into trouble.

21The parent of a fool has grief,

and the father of a godless fool has no joy.

22A joyful heart is good medicine,

but depression drains one’s strength.

23A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.

24Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person,

but the eyes of a fool ⌞are looking around⌟ all over the world.

How Fools Live

25A foolish son is a heartache to his father

and bitter grief to his mother.

26To punish an innocent person is not good.

To strike down noble people is not right.

27Whoever has knowledge controls his words,

and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.

28Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent.

He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.

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