Proverbs 17

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

1It is better to have a dry crust of bread with peace than a house full of feasting with constant fighting.

2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

2A wise servant will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share in the inheritance like one of the brothers.

3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

3Silver is tested in a pot and gold in a furnace, but the LORD tests the human heart.

4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; Anda liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

4An evildoer pays attention to wicked talk, and a liar listens to a spiteful tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; Andhe that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Creator; whoever laughs at someone else's trouble will be punished.

6Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and children take pride in their parents.

7Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

7Eloquent speech does not fit a fool, and lying is even worse for a ruler.

8A bribe isasa precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

8A bribe seems like a magic stone to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he thinks it will bring him success.

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

9One who forgives an offense promotes love, but one who keeps talking about it separates close friends.

10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

10A single correction goes deeper into a person of understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

11An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

11An evil person is only looking for rebellion, so a cruel messenger will be sent to punish him.

12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

12It is better to meet a mother bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool in his foolishness.

13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

13If someone pays back evil for good, trouble will never leave his family.

14The beginning of strife isas when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

14Starting a fight is like opening a floodgate; drop the matter before the dispute breaks out.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

15Setting the guilty free and condemning the innocent are both disgusting to the LORD.

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom, since he has no desire to learn?

17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born to help in times of trouble.

18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

18It is senseless to shake hands on a deal and guarantee the debt of a neighbor.

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

19Anyone who loves an argument loves sin; anyone who builds a high gate invites destruction.

20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

20A person with a crooked heart finds no success, and one with a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

21To be the father of a fool leads to sorrow; the father of a senseless person has no joy.

22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

22A happy heart is like good medicine, but a crushed spirit drains a person’s strength.

23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

23A wicked man takes a secret bribe to tilt the scales of justice.

24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

24A person with understanding keeps wisdom in his sights, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

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

25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitter sorrow to the mother who gave him birth.

26Also to punish the righteous is not good, Norto smite the noble fortheiruprightness.

26It is not right to fine an innocent person or to beat noble people for being honest.

27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

27A person with knowledge uses few words, and a person of understanding stays calm.

28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

28Even a fool is thought to be wise if he keeps quiet; if he keeps his mouth shut, he is considered intelligent.