Proverbs 17

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

1Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.

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

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 servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.

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

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

3The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.

3The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.

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

4A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.

4The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

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

5Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment.

5Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.

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

6Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.

6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

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

7Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.

7Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

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

8An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.

8A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.

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

9He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends.

9He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.

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

10A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.

10A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

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

11An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.

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

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

12It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.

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

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

13If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.

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

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

14The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.

14The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

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

15He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

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

16How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?

16To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?

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

17A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.

17The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

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

18A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.

18A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

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

19The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.

19He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

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

20Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.

20He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

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

21He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.

21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.

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

22A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.

22A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

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

23A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.

23A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

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

24Wisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.

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

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

25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth.

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

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

26To give punishment to the upright is not good, or to give blows to the noble for their righteousness.

26To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.

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

27He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.

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

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

28Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.

28Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.