Proverbs 17

1 Dry crumbs in peace ^{a17:1 Lit. quiet} are better than a full meal ^{b17:1 Lit. house full of meat} with strife.ISV — Proverbs 17:1

2 A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among brothers.ISV — Proverbs 17:2

3 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold— but the LORD assays hearts.ISV — Proverbs 17:3

4 Whoever practices evil pays attention to wicked speech, and the liar listens to malicious talk.ISV — Proverbs 17:4

5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker, and whoever is happy about disaster will not go unpunished.ISV — Proverbs 17:5

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the pride of children is their parents.ISV — Proverbs 17:6

7 Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements ^{c17:7 Lit. lips} with a prince!ISV — Proverbs 17:7

8 A bribe works wonders ^{d17:8 Lit. A gift is a stone of favor} in the eyes of its giver; wherever he turns he prospers.ISV — Proverbs 17:8

9 Anyone who overlooks ^{e17:9 Lit. covers} an offense promotes love, but someone who gossips separates close friends.ISV — Proverbs 17:9

10 A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding than a hundred lashes to a fool.ISV — Proverbs 17:10

11 A rebellious person seeks evil; a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.ISV — Proverbs 17:11

12 It’s better to meet a mother bear who has lost her cubs than a fool in his stupidity.ISV — Proverbs 17:12

13 The person who repays good with evil will never see ^{f17:13 The Heb. lacks will see} evil leave his home.ISV — Proverbs 17:13

14 Starting a quarrel is like spilling water— so drop the dispute before it escalates.ISV — Proverbs 17:14

15 Exonerating the wicked and condemning the righteous are both detestable to the LORD.ISV — Proverbs 17:15

16 What is this? A fool has enough money to buy wisdom, but is senseless? ^{g17:16 Lit. but has no heart}ISV — Proverbs 17:16

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is there ^{h17:17 Lit. born} for times of trouble.ISV — Proverbs 17:17

18 A man who lacks sense ^{i17:18 Lit. heart} cosigns a loan, ^{j17:18 Lit. sense strikes the palm} becoming a guarantor for his neighbor.ISV — Proverbs 17:18

19 The person who loves transgression loves strife; the person who builds a high gate invites destruction.ISV — Proverbs 17:19

20 The person whose mind ^{k17:20 Lit. heart} is perverse does not find good, and anyone with perverted speech falls into trouble.ISV — Proverbs 17:20

21 The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow— the father of a fool has no joy.ISV — Proverbs 17:21

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit drains one’s strength. ^{l17:22 Lit. spirit dries the bones}ISV — Proverbs 17:22

23 The wicked man takes a bribe in secret in order to pervert the course of justice.ISV — Proverbs 17:23

24 A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective, but a fool looks only ^{m17:24 The Heb. lacks only} to earthly goals.ISV — Proverbs 17:24

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother. ^{n17:25 Lit. to the one who bore him}ISV — Proverbs 17:25

26 Furthermore, it isn’t good to fine the righteous, or to beat an official because of his uprightness.ISV — Proverbs 17:26

27 Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable; anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.ISV — Proverbs 17:27

28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.ISV — Proverbs 17:28