Proverbs 17

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.

2A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

3The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.

4The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

5Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.

6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

8A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.

9He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.

10A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but 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.

13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

16To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?

17The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

19He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.

22A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

26To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.

27He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.

28Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.