Proverbs17

Proverbs 17 contrasts the blessings of peace and wisdom with the sorrows of strife and folly. It emphasizes that a quiet life with little is better than abundance with contention, and that a wise servant is preferred over a shameful son. The chapter highlights the Lord's discernment of hearts and warns against mocking the poor or perverting justice. Such actions incur divine displeasure and lead to negative consequences.

Domestic Peace and Integrity

1
Better is a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
2
A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.
3
A refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts is Jehovah.
4
An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5
Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6
Sons' sons are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons are their fathers.

Contrasts Between Wise and Foolish

7
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8
A stone of grace is the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9
Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10
Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11
An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12
The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And--not a fool in his folly.
13
Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.
14
The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.

Justice, Friendship, and Folly

15
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these are an abomination to Jehovah.
16
Why is this--a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
17
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.
18
A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
19
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
20
The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.
21
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
22
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.

Bribery and the Value of Silence

23
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
24
The face of the intelligent is to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool--at the end of the earth.
25
A provocation to his father is a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26
Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.
27
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding.
28
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
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