Proverbs 17
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New International VersionNew American Standard Bible 1995
1Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.1Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.2A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
3The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.
4A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.4An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.5He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.6Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool-- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!7Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.
8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.8A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.9He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.
11Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.11A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.13He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
14Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
18One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.18A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
19Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.19He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.
20One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.20He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
21To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.21He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.22A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.23A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.
24A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.24Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.25A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.
26If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.26It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.27He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
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Proverbs 16
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