Proverbs 17 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting^[1] with strife. (Pr 15:17) 2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. (2Sa 16:4; Pr 10:5; Pr 17:21; Pr 17:25; Pr 19:26)

2Sa 16:4Pr 10:5Pr 17:21Pr 17:25Pr 19:26

3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. (1Ch 29:17; Ps 26:2; Pr 27:21; Jer 17:10; Mal 3:3)

1Ch 29:17Ps 26:2Pr 27:21Jer 17:10Mal 3:3

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. 5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. (Job 31:29; Pr 14:31; Pr 16:5; Pr 24:17; Ob 1:12; Mt 25:40; Mt 25:45)

Job 31:29Pr 14:31Pr 16:5Pr 24:17Ob 1:12Mt 25:40Mt 25:45

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. (Ps 127:3; Ps 128:6; Pr 16:31) 7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. (Pr 6:17; Pr 19:10; Pr 26:1) 8 A bribe is like a magic^[2] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers. (Ex 23:8; Pr 17:23; Pr 18:16; Pr 19:6; Pr 21:14; Isa 1:23; Am 5:12)

Ex 23:8Pr 17:23Pr 18:16Pr 19:6Pr 21:14Isa 1:23Am 5:12

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. (Pr 10:12; Pr 16:28) 10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. (1Ki 2:29) 12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. (2Sa 17:8; Pr 27:3; Ho 13:8) 13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. (2Sa 12:10; Ps 35:12; Ps 109:4; Pr 20:22; Mt 5:39)

2Sa 12:10Ps 35:12Ps 109:4Pr 20:22Mt 5:39

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. (Pr 20:3; Pr 25:8) 15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. (Ex 23:7; Job 34:17; Ps 94:21; Pr 17:26; Pr 18:5; Pr 24:24; Isa 5:23)

Ex 23:7Job 34:17Ps 94:21Pr 17:26Pr 18:5Pr 24:24Isa 5:23

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense? (Pr 23:23) 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Ru 1:16; Job 6:14; Pr 18:24; Pr 27:10)

Ru 1:16Job 6:14Pr 18:24Pr 27:10

18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor. 19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction. (Pr 11:2; Pr 29:23) 20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. (Pr 11:20) 21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. (Pr 10:1; Pr 19:13) 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Ps 22:15; Pr 12:25; Pr 15:13) 23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret^[3] to pervert the ways of justice. (Pr 17:8; Mic 3:11; Mic 7:3) 24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. (De 30:11; Pr 14:6; Pr 15:14; Ec 2:14)

De 30:11Pr 14:6Pr 15:14Ec 2:14

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. (Pr 10:1; Pr 17:21; Pr 23:25) 26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. (Pr 17:15) 27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. (Pr 10:19; Jas 1:19) 28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Job 13:5)