Proverbs 17

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

² A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

³ The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

⁴ An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

⁶ Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.

⁷ Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

⁸ A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

⁹ He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

¹⁰ A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

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

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

¹³ Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

¹⁵ He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

¹⁶ Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

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

¹⁸ A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

¹⁹ He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

²⁰ One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

²¹ He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

²² A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

²³ A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴ Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵ A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

²⁶ Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

²⁷ He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

²⁸ Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.