17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
17:2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
17:3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
17:4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
17:5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
17:6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
17:7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool–how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
17:8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
17:10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
17:11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.
17:12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
17:13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent–the LORD detests them both.
17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
17:18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
17:19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
17:20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
17:21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
17:23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
17:24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
17:26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.
17:27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
17:28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
17:1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it / Than a house full of feasting with strife.
17:2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, / And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, / But Jehovah tries the hearts.
17:4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips, / And a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
17:5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; / He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, / And the glory of children is their fathers.
17:7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; / Much less are lying lips for a noble man.
17:8 A bribe is like a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor: / Wherever he turns, he prospers.
17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, / But he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
17:10 A rebuke strikes deeper into him who has understanding / Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; / Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
17:12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man / Rather than a fool in his folly.
17:13 Whoever rewards evil for good, / Evil will not depart from his house.
17:14 The beginning of contention is like letting out water; / Therefore abandon strife before it breaks out.
17:15 He who justifies the wicked man, and he who condemns the righteous man, / Both of them are an abomination to Jehovah.
17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, / When he has no sense?
17:17 A friend loves at all times, / And a brother is born for adversity.
17:18 A man lacking sense gives his hand as a pledge / And becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
17:19 He who loves transgression loves strife; / He who raises high his entrance seeks destruction.
17:20 He who has a crooked heart finds no good, / And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
17:21 He who begets a fool does so to his sorrow, / And the father of a fool has no joy.
17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, / But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom, / To pervert the ways of justice.
17:24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, / But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, / And bitterness to her who bore him.
17:26 To also punish the righteous man is not good, / Nor to strike nobles for their uprightness.
17:27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, / And he who is cool in spirit is one who has understanding.
17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise; / When he shuts his lips, he is counted prudent.