Proverbs 17
17
1Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
2A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
3As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
5He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man's ruin, shall not be unpunished.
6Children's children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
7Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9He that concealeth a transgression, seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
10A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
13He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
16What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
17He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
18A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
20He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
21A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
22A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
23The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
26It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
27He that setteth bounds to his words is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
28Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
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Proverbs 17: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
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.
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