Proverbs 17
1599 Geneva Bible
17 1 Better is a dry morsel, if peace be with it, than an house full of [a]sacrifices with strife.
2 A discrete servant shall have rule over a lewd son, and he shall divide the [b]heritage among the brethren.
3 As is the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 The wicked giveth heed to false lips, and a liar hearkeneth to the naughty tongue.
5 (A)He that mocketh the poor, reproacheth him that made him: and he that rejoiceth at destruction, shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of the elders: and the glory of the children are their fathers.
7 [c]High talk becometh not a fool, much less a lying talk a prince.
8 A reward is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that have it: it prospereth, whithersoever it [d]turneth.
9 He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love: but he that repeateth a matter, separateth the [e]prince.
10 A reproof entereth more into him that hath understanding, than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 A seditious person seeketh only evil, and a cruel [f]messenger shall be sent against him.
12 It is better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than [g]a fool in his folly.
13 (B)He that rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore, or the contention be meddled with, leave off.
15 (C)He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Wherefore is there a [h]price in the hand of the fool to get wisdom, and he hath none heart?
17 A friend loveth at all times; and a [i]brother is born for adversity.
18 A man destitute of understanding, [j]toucheth the hand, and becometh surety for his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his [k]gate, seeketh destruction.
20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughty tongue, shall fall into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool, getteth himself sorrow, and the father of a fool can have no joy.
22 (D)A joyful heart causeth good health: but a sorrowful mind drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the [l]bosom to wrest the ways of judgment.
24 (E)Wisdom is in the face of him that hath understanding: but the eyes of a fool are in the [m]corners of the world.
25 A foolish son is a grief unto his father, and a (F)heaviness to her that bare him.
26 Surely it is not good to condemn the just, nor that the princes should smite such [n]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 stoppeth his lips, prudent.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:1 For whereas were many sacrifices, there were many portions given to the people, wherewith they feasted.
- Proverbs 17:2 That is, shall be made governor over the children.
- Proverbs 17:7 Hebrew, the lip of excellency.
- Proverbs 17:8 The reward hath great force to gain the hearts of men.
- Proverbs 17:9 He that admonisheth the prince of his fault, maketh him his enemy.
- Proverbs 17:11 By the messenger is meant such means as God useth to punish the rebels.
- Proverbs 17:12 Whereby he meaneth the wicked in his rage, who hath no fear of God.
- Proverbs 17:16 What availeth it the wicked to be rich, seeing he setteth not his mind to wisdom?
- Proverbs 17:17 So that he is more than a friend, even a brother that helpeth in time of adversity.
- Proverbs 17:18 Read Prov. 6:1.
- Proverbs 17:19 Lifteth up himself above his degree.
- Proverbs 17:23 That is, secretly and out of the bosom of the rich.
- Proverbs 17:24 That is, wander to and fro, and seek not after wisdom.
- Proverbs 17:26 For their well doing.
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.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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