Proverbs 17:28
King James Version
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
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Proverbs 17:28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.(A)
Proverbs 17:28
American Standard Version
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise;
[a]When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:28 Or, He that shutteth his lips is etc.
Proverbs 17:28
Young's Literal Translation
28 Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
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Proverbs 17:28
Revised Standard Version
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Proverbs 17
King James Version
17 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an 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.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall 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.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are 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?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh 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.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth 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.
Proverbs 17
Holman Christian Standard Bible
17 Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.(A)
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.
4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[a]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(D)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(E)
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,
and the pride of sons is their fathers.
7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.
10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person
more than a hundred lashes into a fool.
12 Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs(K)
than a fool in his foolishness.
14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.(N)
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just(O)—
both are detestable to the Lord.
16 Why does a fool have money in his hand
with no intention of buying wisdom?(P)
17 A friend loves at all times,(Q)
and a brother is born for a difficult time.
19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(S)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.
20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(T)
21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;
the father of a fool has no joy.(U)
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(V)
24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(Y) roam to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is grief to his father
and bitterness to the one who bore him.(Z)
27 The intelligent person restrains his words,(AB)
and one who keeps a cool head[e]
is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.(AC)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity
- Proverbs 17:11 Or a merciless angel
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit sense shakes hands
- Proverbs 17:26 Or noble unfairly
- Proverbs 17:27 Lit spirit
Proverbs 17
American Standard Version
17 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,
Than a house full of [a]feasting with strife.
2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that [b]causeth shame,
And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;
But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;
And [c]a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;
And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;
And the glory of children are their fathers.
7 [d]Excellent speech becometh not a fool;
Much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it;
Whithersoever [e]it turneth, [f]it [g]prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;
But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding
Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 [h]An evil man seeketh only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good,
Evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:
Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
Seeing he hath no [i]understanding?
17 A friend loveth at all times;
And [j]a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of [k]understanding striketh hands,
And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 [l]He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good;
And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into [m]mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow;
And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A cheerful heart [n]is a good medicine;
But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom,
To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding;
But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to [o]punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.
27 He [p]that spareth his words hath knowledge;
And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise;
[q]When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:1 Hebrew the sacrifices of strife.
- Proverbs 17:2 Or, doeth shamefully
- Proverbs 17:4 Hebrew falsehood.
- Proverbs 17:7 Or, Arrogant
- Proverbs 17:8 Or, he
- Proverbs 17:8 Or, he
- Proverbs 17:8 Or, dealeth wisely
- Proverbs 17:11 Or, A rebellious man (Hebrew Rebellion) seeketh only evil
- Proverbs 17:16 Hebrew heart.
- Proverbs 17:17 Or, is born as a brother
- Proverbs 17:18 Hebrew heart.
- Proverbs 17:19 Or, He that loveth transgression loveth strife
- Proverbs 17:20 Or, calamity
- Proverbs 17:22 Hebrew causeth good healing.
- Proverbs 17:26 Or, fine
- Proverbs 17:27 Or, that hath knowledge spareth his words; And a man of understanding is of a cool spirit
- Proverbs 17:28 Or, He that shutteth his lips is etc.
Proverbs 17
Young's Literal Translation
17 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.
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.
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.
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!
Proverbs 17
Revised Standard Version
17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the Lord tries hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor insults his Maker;
he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a prince.
8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
wherever he turns he prospers.
9 He who forgives an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter alienates a friend.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs,
rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If a man returns evil for good,
evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water;
so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why should a fool have a price in his hand to buy wisdom,
when he has no mind?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man without sense gives a pledge,
and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife;
he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
20 A man of crooked mind does not prosper,
and one with a perverse tongue falls into calamity.
21 A stupid son is a grief to a father;
and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe from the bosom
to pervert the ways of justice.
24 A man of understanding sets his face toward wisdom,
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 who bore him.
26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good;
to flog noble men is wrong.
27 He who restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
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Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.