Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting and strife.
2 A prudent servant will rule over a son who brings shame and will share the inheritance among the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests hearts.
4 A wicked person listens to evil talk; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and parents are the glory of their children.
7 Fine speech does not suit a fool, much less lying lips a noble person.
8 A bribe seems like a precious stone to the one who gives it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but whoever brings it up again separates close friends.
10 A rebuke makes a deeper impression on someone with understanding than a hundred blows on a fool.
11 A rebellious person seeks only evil; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever repays good with evil will never see evil leave their house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate; stop before the dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—both are detestable to the LORD.
16 What good is money in a fool’s hand to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for times of trouble.
18 A person without sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife; whoever builds up his doorway invites ruin.
20 A crooked heart finds no good, and a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 Whoever fathers a fool will have grief; the father of a scoundrel has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked person takes a bribe from the cloak to twist the paths of justice.
24 Wisdom is right before the discerning person, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who gave him birth.
26 It is not right to fine the righteous or to strike nobles for their integrity.
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge; a person of understanding stays calm.
28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent; whoever closes his lips is thought discerning.
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