Proverbs 17

Contrasting proverbs address the value of peace over conflict, the testing of hearts by the LORD as a refiner tests silver, and the loyalty of a true friend who loves at all times. The chapter warns against mocking the poor, rejoicing at calamity, and provoking strife.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.	Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
2	A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.	A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share the inheritance among the brethren.
3	The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.	The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the LORD tests the hearts.
4	A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.	A wicked doer gives heed to false lips, and a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
5	Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.	Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, and he who is glad at calamities will not be unpunished.
6	Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.	Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.
7	Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.	Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less are lying lips for a prince.
8	A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.	A gift is like a precious stone in the eyes of Him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9	He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; and he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.	He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
10	A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.	A rebuke enters more deeply into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11	An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.	An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against Him.
12	Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.	Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13	Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.	Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from His house.
14	The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.	The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before it breaks out.
15	He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.	He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, even both of them are an abomination to the LORD.
16	Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?	Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, when He has no heart for it?
17	A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.	A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18	A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.	A man without understanding strikes hands in pledge and becomes surety in the presence of His friend.
19	He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.	He who loves transgression loves strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20	He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.	He who has a perverse heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
21	He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.	He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22	A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.	A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit dries the bones.
23	A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.	A wicked man takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24	Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.	Wisdom is before Him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25	A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.	A foolish son is a grief to His father, and bitterness to her who bore Him.
26	Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.	Also, to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for fairness.
27	He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.	He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28	Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.	Even a fool, when He holds His peace, is counted wise, and He who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.