Proverbs 17

1 Better {is} a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices {with} strife. {sacrifices: or, good cheer} 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. {unpunished: Heb. held innocent} 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. {Excellent...: Heb. A lip of excellency} {lying...: Heb. a lip of lying} 8 A gift {is as} a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. {a precious...: Heb. a stone of grace} 9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth {very} friends. {seeketh: or, procureth} 10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. {entereth...: or, aweth more a wise man, than to strike a fool an hundred times} 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. {understanding: Heb. heart} 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. {He that hath a froward...: Heb. The froward of heart} 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. {like: or, to} 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. {an...: or, a cool} 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: {and} he that shutteth his lips {is esteemed} a man of understanding.