Proverbs 17
17
1It is better to have nothing but a dry piece of bread to eat in peace than a whole house full of food with everyone arguing.
2A smart servant will gain control over his master’s foolish son. He will be treated like a son and get a share of the inheritance.
3Fire is used to make gold and silver pure, but a person’s heart is made pure by the Lord.
4People who do evil listen to evil ideas. Liars listen to liars.
5Whoever makes fun of beggars insults their Maker. Whoever laughs at someone else’s trouble will be punished.
6Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.
7You wouldn’t expect to hear a fine speech from a fool, and you shouldn’t expect lies from a ruler.
8Some people think a bribe is like a lucky charm—it seems to work wherever they go.
9Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it.
10Smart people learn more from a single correction than fools learn from a hundred beatings.
11Those who are evil only want to cause trouble. In the end, punishment without mercy will be sent to them.
12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool who is busy doing foolish things.
13If you do wrong to those who were good to you, you will have trouble the rest of your life.
14The start of an argument is like a small leak in a dam. Stop it before a big fight breaks out.
15The Lord hates these two things: punishing the innocent and letting the guilty go free.
16Money is wasted on fools. They cannot buy wisdom when they have no sense.
17A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble.
18Only a fool would promise to pay for someone else’s debts.
19A troublemaker loves to start arguments. Anyone who likes to brag is asking for trouble.
20Crooks will not profit from their crimes, and those who plan to cause trouble will be trapped when it comes.
21A man who has a fool for a son will be disappointed. A fool brings no joy to his father.
22Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.
23A wicked judge will accept a bribe, and that keeps justice from being done.
24Intelligent people think about what needs to be done here and now. Fools are always dreaming about faraway places.
25Foolish children upset their parents and make them sad.
26It is wrong to punish an innocent person or attack leaders for doing what is right.
27Intelligent people choose their words carefully. Those who know what they are doing remain calm.#17:27 remain calm Literally, “have a cool spirit.”
28Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 17: ERV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
Proverbs 17
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.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.