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17 A dry crust eaten in peace is better than steak every day along with argument and strife.

A wise slave will rule his master’s wicked sons and share their estate.

Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts.

The wicked enjoy fellowship with others who are wicked; liars enjoy liars.

Mocking the poor is mocking the God who made them. He will punish those who rejoice at others’ misfortunes.

An old man’s grandchildren are his crowning glory. A child’s glory is his father.

Truth from a rebel or lies from a king are both unexpected.

A bribe works like magic. Whoever uses it will prosper![a]

Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends.

10 A rebuke to a man of common sense is more effective than a hundred lashes on the back of a rebel.

11 The wicked live for rebellion; they shall be severely punished.[b]

12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool caught in his folly.

13 If you repay evil for good, a curse is upon your home.

14 It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts,[c] so don’t let it begin.

15 The Lord despises those who say that bad is good and good is bad.

16 It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a rebel who has no heart for truth.[d]

17 A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

18 It is poor judgment to countersign another’s note, to become responsible for his debts.

19 Sinners love to fight; boasting is looking for trouble.

20 An evil man is suspicious of everyone[e] and tumbles into constant trouble.

21 It’s no fun to be a rebel’s father.

22 A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.

23 It is wrong to accept a bribe to twist justice.

24 Wisdom is the main pursuit of sensible men, but a fool’s goals are at the ends of the earth!

25 A rebellious son is a grief to his father and a bitter blow to his mother.

26 How shortsighted to fine the godly for being good! And to punish nobles for being honest!

27-28 The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore, even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 This is a fact, but not to be encouraged!
  2. Proverbs 17:11 they shall be severely punished, literally, “a stern [ruthless] messenger will be sent against him.”
  3. Proverbs 17:14 It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, literally, “as when one lets out water.”
  4. Proverbs 17:16 no heart for truth, literally, “no heart.”
  5. Proverbs 17:20 is suspicious of everyone, or “does not prosper.”

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
    than a house full of feasting, with strife.(A)

A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(B)
    but the Lord tests the heart.(C)

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Whoever mocks the poor(D) shows contempt for their Maker;(E)
    whoever gloats over disaster(F) will not go unpunished.(G)

Children’s children(H) are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(I)

A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.(J)

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(K)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(L)

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
    more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
    the messenger of death will be sent against them.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
    than a fool bent on folly.(M)

13 Evil will never leave the house
    of one who pays back evil(N) for good.(O)

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(P)

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent(Q)
    the Lord detests them both.(R)

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
    when they are not able to understand it?(S)

17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(T)

18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
    and puts up security for a neighbor.(U)

19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(V)

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(W) spirit dries up the bones.(X)

23 The wicked accept bribes(Y) in secret
    to pervert the course of justice.(Z)

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(AA) wander to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(AB)

26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(AC)
    surely to flog honest officials is not right.

27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(AD)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(AE)

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(AF)