Proverbs 17

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.footnote a

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

3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.footnote b

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.footnote cfootnote d

8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.footnote e

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.footnote f

10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.footnote g

11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore 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.

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

14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

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

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17A 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 friend.footnote h

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.footnote i

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

22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.footnote j

23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

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.

26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.footnote k

28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

1Better a dry morsel in quietnessthan a house full of feastingfootnote awith strife.

2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful sonand share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold,but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

4A wicked man listens to evil lips;a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

5He who mocks the poor insults their Maker;whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,and the glory of a son is his father.

7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool;how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

8A bribe is a charm to its giver;wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,but he who brings it up separates friends.

10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernmentdeeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion;a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubsthan a fool in his folly.

13If anyone returns evil for good,evil will never leave his house.

14To start a quarrel is to release a flood;so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

16Why should the fool have money in his handwith no intention of buying wisdom?

17A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledgeand puts up security for his neighbor.

19He who loves transgression loves strife;he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

20The one with a perverse heart finds no good,and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21A man fathers a fool to his own grief;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 takes a covert bribefootnote bto subvert the course of justice.

24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning,but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to his fatherand bitterness to her who bore him.

26It is surely not good to punish the innocentor to flog a noble for his honesty.

27A man of knowledge restrains his words,and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent,and discerning when he holds his tongue.