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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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 17
17
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
1Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.
4An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;
He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6Grandchildren are the crown of old men,
And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are lying lips to a prince.
8A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9He who conceals a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.
11A rebellious man seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13He who returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no sense?
17A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18A man lacking in sense pledges
And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
19He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who raises his door seeks destruction.
20He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
21He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
22A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom
To pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,
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 fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
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