Proverbs 17 – read and compare multiple versions
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.
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.