17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
17:1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.

17:2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
17:2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

17:3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

17:4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; (And) a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
17:4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; (And) he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
17:5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.
17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.

17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
17:7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; Much less are lying lips to a prince.

17:8 A bribe is (as) a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
17:8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

17:10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.

17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
17:11 A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
17:13 He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

17:14 The beginning of strife is (as) when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
17:14 The beginning of strife is [like] letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?

17:17 A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
17:18 A man lacking in sense pledges, And becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.

17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
17:19 He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

17:20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
17:20 He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

17:21 He that begetteth a fool (doeth it) to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
17:21 He who begets a fool [does so] to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

17:23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.

17:24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
17:24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

17:26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, (Nor) to smite the noble for (their) uprightness.
17:26 It is also not good to fine the righteous, [Nor] to strike the noble for [their] uprightness.

17:27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
17:27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is (esteemed as) prudent.
17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is [counted] prudent.