Proverbs 17
1Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who behaves shamefully,
and will have a share in the inheritance among the brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,
but YHWH tests the hearts.
4An evildoer heeds wicked lips.
A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
Whoever is glad at calamity will not be unpunished.
6Children’s children are the crown of the elderly,
and parents are the glory of their children.
7Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool,
much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
wherever he turns, he prospers.
9He who covers an offense promotes love;
but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding
than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11An evil person seeks only rebellion;
and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
than a fool in their folly.
13Whoever rewards evil for good,
evil will not depart from their house.
14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam,
therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15The one who justifies the wicked and the one who condemns the righteous,
both of them are an abomination to YHWH.
16Why is there money in the hand of a fool,
if they have no intention of acquiring wisdom?
17A friend loves at all times;
and a brother is born for adversity.
18A person without understanding shakes hands in pledge,
and becomes collateral in the presence of a neighbor.
19The one who loves disobedience loves strife.
Whoever builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity,
and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21Whoever becomes the parent of a fool grieves.
The parent of a fool has no joy.
22A cheerful heart makes good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked person receives a bribe in secret,
to pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding,
but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father,
and bitterness to her who bore him.
26Also to punish the righteous is not good,
nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27The one who restrains words actually knows things.
The one with a cool spirit is a person of understanding.
28Even a fool is considered wise if they keep silent.
and discerning if they seal their lips.