Proverbs 17
1Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.2
3A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share an inheritance among brothers.4
5A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.6
7A wicked person listens to malicious talk; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.8
9The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished.10
11Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers.12
13Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.14
15A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds.16
17Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.18
19A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person more than a hundred lashes into a fool.20
21An evil person desires only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.22
23Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness.24
25If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.26
27To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.28
29Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just — both are detestable to the Lord.30
31Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?32
33A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.34
35One without sense enters an agreement and puts up security for his friend.36
37One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.38
39One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.40
41A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.42
43A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.44
45A wicked person secretly takes a bribe to subvert the course of justice.46
47Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.48
49A foolish son is grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.50
51It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person or to beat a noble for his honesty.52
53The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a person of understanding.54
55Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent — discerning, when he seals his lips.56
3A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share an inheritance among brothers.4
5A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.6
7A wicked person listens to malicious talk; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.8
9The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished.10
11Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers.12
13Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.14
15A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds.16
17Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.18
19A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person more than a hundred lashes into a fool.20
21An evil person desires only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.22
23Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness.24
25If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.26
27To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.28
29Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just — both are detestable to the Lord.30
31Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?32
33A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.34
35One without sense enters an agreement and puts up security for his friend.36
37One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.38
39One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.40
41A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.42
43A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.44
45A wicked person secretly takes a bribe to subvert the course of justice.46
47Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.48
49A foolish son is grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.50
51It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person or to beat a noble for his honesty.52
53The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a person of understanding.54
55Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent — discerning, when he seals his lips.56