Proverbs 17
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.
1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
4An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
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; the glory of children is their parents.
7Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.
7Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.
8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.
9He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
10A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11A rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
11An evil man seeks 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.
12Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
13Whoever rewards 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 the quarrel break out.
14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an abomination to the LORD.
15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
17A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
18A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
19He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.
20One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
21He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
22A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
23A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
26Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.
27He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
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