International Standard Version
Proverbs 17
1 Dry crumbs in peace a are better than a full meal b with strife.
2 A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold— but the LORD assays hearts.
4 Whoever practices evil pays attention to wicked speech, and the liar listens to malicious talk.
5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker, and whoever is happy about disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the pride of children is their parents.
7 Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements c with a prince!
8 A bribe works wonders d in the eyes of its giver; wherever he turns he prospers.
9 Anyone who overlooks e an offense promotes love, but someone who gossips separates close friends.
10 A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding than a hundred lashes to a fool.
11 A rebellious person seeks evil; a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.
12 It’s better to meet a mother bear who has lost her cubs than a fool in his stupidity.
13 The person who repays good with evil will never see f evil leave his home.
14 Starting a quarrel is like spilling water— so drop the dispute before it escalates.
15 Exonerating the wicked and condemning the righteous are both detestable to the LORD.
16 What is this? A fool has enough money to buy wisdom, but is senseless? g
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is there h for times of trouble.
18 A man who lacks sense i cosigns a loan, j becoming a guarantor for his neighbor.
19 The person who loves transgression loves strife; the person who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 The person whose mind k is perverse does not find good, and anyone with perverted speech falls into trouble.
21 The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow— the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit drains one’s strength. l
23 The wicked man takes a bribe in secret in order to pervert the course of justice.
24 A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective, but a fool looks only m to earthly goals.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother. n
26 Furthermore, it isn’t good to fine the righteous, or to beat an official because of his uprightness.
27 Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable; anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.