Chapter 17 | |
1 | Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. |
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. |
3 | The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. |
4 | An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. |
5 | Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. |
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. |
8 | A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. |
9 | He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends. |
10 | A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool. |
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 there is quarrelling. |
15 | He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. |
16 | Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? |
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 neighbor. |
19 | He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction. |
20 | He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. |
21 | He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy. |
22 | A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones. |
23 | A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice. |
24 |
Wisdom is before the face of 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 righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness. |
27 | He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding. |
28 | Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent. |