Proverbs

Proverbs 17 ©

Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.

1

BETTER is aa dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of 1sacrifices with strife.

2

A wise servant shall have rule over ba son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3

The c*fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4

A dwicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a *naughty tongue.

5

eWhoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be 2unpunished.

6

fChildren's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7

3Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do 4lying lips a prince.

8

A ggift is as 5a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9

He hthat covereth a transgression 6seeketh love; ibut he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10

7A jreproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11

An kevil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12

lLet a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13

Whoso mrewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: ntherefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15

oHe that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16

pWherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17

A qfriend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18

A rman void of 8understanding *striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19

He sloveth transgression that loveth strife: and the that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20

9He uthat hath a *froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21

He vthat begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22

A wmerry heart doeth good 10like a medicine: but xa broken spirit drieth the bones.

23

A ywicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24

zWisdom is before him that hath understanding; abut the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25

A bfoolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

26

cAlso to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27

He dthat hath knowledge espareth his words: and a man of understanding is of 11an excellent spirit.

28

fEven a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.