17:1 Better is a dry crust1
where there is quietness2
than a house full of feasting with strife.3
17:2 A wise servant4
will rule over5
a shameful6
heir,7
and will share the inheritance in the midst of the relatives.8
17:3 The crucible9
for silver and the furnace10
for gold,
but the LORD tests11
hearts.
17:4 One who does wickedly12
pays attention to evil lips;13
a liar listens14
to a malicious tongue.15
17:5 The one who mocks the poor16
insults17
his Maker;
whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.
17:6 Grandchildren18
are a crown19
to the elderly,
and the glorying20
of children is about21
their parents.22
17:7 Excellent23
lips24
are out of place for a fool;25
how much more lying lips for a ruler.26
17:8 A bribe is a charming stone27
in the eyes of the one who offers it,28
in every place he turns he is successful.29
17:9 The one who covers over30
an offense seeks31
love,
but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.32
17:10 A rebuke makes an impression on33
a discerning person
more than a hundred blows on a fool.34
17:11 An evil person seeks only rebellion;35
and so36
a cruel messenger37
will be sent against him.
17:12 Let a bear bereaved of her cubs meet38
someone39
rather than40
a fool in his folly.41
17:13 As for the one who repays42
evil for good,
evil will not leave43
his house.44
17:14 Starting45
a quarrel is like letting out water;46
stop it before strife breaks out.47
17:15 Justifying the wicked and condemning the righteous—48
both of them are an abomination to the LORD.
17:16 Of what49
use is money in the hand of a fool,50
since he has not intention51
of acquiring52
wisdom?53
17:17 The friend54
loves at all times,
and a relative55
is born for adversity.56
17:18 Someone who lacks understanding57
strikes hands in pledge,58
and puts up security59
for his neighbor.60
17:19 The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression;61
whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.62
17:20 One who has a perverse heart63
does not find good;64
and the one who is deceitful in tongue falls into trouble.
17:21 Whoever brings a fool65
into the world66
does so67
to his grief,
and the father of a fool has no joy.68
17:22 A cheerful heart69
brings good healing,70
but a crushed spirit71
dries up the bones.72
17:23 A wicked person receives a bribe secretly73
to pervert74
the ways of justice.
17:24 Wisdom is before75
the discerning person,
but the eyes of a fool run76
to the end of the earth.77
17:25 A foolish child is a grief78
to his father,
and bitterness to the one who bore him.79
17:26 It is not good to punish80
the righteous person,
nor strike81
nobles for uprightness.82
17:27 The person who is knowledgeable83
restrains84
his words,
and one who has discernment has a cool spirit.85
17:28 Even a fool who remains silent may be considered86
wise,
and the one who holds his tongue discerning.87