Proverbs 17
GOD’S WORD Translation
17 Better a bite of dry bread ⌞eaten⌟ in peace
than a family feast filled with strife.
2 A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully,
and he will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold,
but the one who purifies hearts ⌞by fire⌟ is the Lord.
4 An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips.
A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue.
5 Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker.
Whoever is happy ⌞to see someone’s⌟ distress will not escape punishment.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents,
and parents are the glory of their children.
The Consequences of Being a Fool
7 Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool.
How much less does lying fit a noble person!
8 A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it.[a]
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Whoever forgives an offense seeks love,
but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.
10 A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding
more than a hundred lashes impress a fool.
11 A rebel looks for nothing but evil.
Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent ⌞to punish⌟ him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs
than a fool ⌞carried away⌟ with his stupidity.
13 Whoever pays back evil for good—
evil will never leave his home.
14 Starting a quarrel is ⌞like⌟ opening a floodgate,
so stop before the argument gets out of control.
15 Whoever approves of wicked people
and whoever condemns righteous people
is disgusting to the Lord.
16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything?
17 A friend always loves,
and a brother is born to share trouble.
18 A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake.
He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend.
19 Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel.
Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.
20 A twisted mind never finds happiness,
and one with a devious tongue ⌞repeatedly⌟ gets into trouble.
21 The parent of a fool has grief,
and the father of a godless fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but depression drains one’s strength.
23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person,
but the eyes of a fool ⌞are looking around⌟ all over the world.
How Fools Live
25 A foolish son is a heartache to his father
and bitter grief to his mother.
26 To punish an innocent person is not good.
To strike down noble people is not right.
27 Whoever has knowledge controls his words,
and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent.
He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.
Footnotes
- 17:8 Or “who receives it.”
Proverbs 17
Contemporary English Version
Our Thoughts Are Tested by the Lord
17 A dry crust of bread eaten
in peace and quiet
is better than a feast eaten
where everyone argues.
2 A wise slave
will be placed in charge
of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
that each child receives.
3 Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the Lord.
4 Troublemakers listen
to troublemakers,
and liars listen to liars.
5 By insulting the poor,
you insult your Creator.
You will be punished
if you make fun
of someone in trouble.
6 Grandparents are proud
of their grandchildren,
and children should be proud
of their parents.
7 It sounds strange for a fool
to talk sensibly,
but it's even worse
for a ruler to tell lies.
8 A bribe works miracles
like a magic charm
that brings good luck.
9 You will keep your friends
if you forgive them,
but you will lose your friends
if you keep talking about
what they did wrong.
10 A sensible person
accepts correction,
but you can't beat sense
into a fool.
11 Cruel people want to rebel,
and so vicious attackers
will be sent against them.
12 A bear robbed of her cubs
is far less dangerous
than a stubborn fool.
13 You will always have trouble
if you are mean to those
who are good to you.
14 The start of an argument
is like a water leak—
so stop it before
real trouble breaks out.
15 The Lord doesn't like those
who defend the guilty
or condemn the innocent.
16 Why should fools have money
for an education
when they refuse to learn?
17 (A) A friend is there to help,
in any situation,
and relatives are born
to share our troubles.
18 It's stupid to guarantee
someone else's loan.
19 The wicked and the proud
love trouble and keep begging
to be hurt.
20 Dishonesty does you no good,
and telling lies
will get you in trouble.
21 It's never pleasant
to be the parent of a fool
and have nothing but pain.
22 If you are cheerful,
you feel good;
if you are sad,
you hurt all over.
23 Crooks accept secret bribes
to keep justice
from being done.
24 Anyone with wisdom knows
what makes good sense,
but fools can never
make up their minds.
25 Foolish children bring sorrow
and pain to their parents.
26 It isn't fair
to punish the innocent
and those who do right.
27 It makes a lot of sense
to be a person of few words
and to stay calm.
28 (B) Even fools seem smart
when they are quiet.
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