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Proverbs chapter 17

English Standard Version

1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. 3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. 4An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. 5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. 7Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. 8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers. 9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. 11An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. 13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. 14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. 15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor. 19Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction. 20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. 21He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. 24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. 27Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
New International Version

1Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
2A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
3The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
4A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
7Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
9Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
13Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
14Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.
16Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
19Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
24A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
26If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
New American Standard Bible

1Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers. 3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts. 4An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. 5One who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; One who rejoices at disaster will not go unpunished. 6Grandchildren are the crown of the old, And the glory of sons is their fathers. 7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince. 8A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9One who conceals an offense seeks love, But one who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool. 11A rebellious person seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12Let a person meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his foolishness. 13One who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. 14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. 15One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. 16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? 17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18A person lacking in sense shakes hands And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. 19One who loves wrongdoing loves strife; One who makes his doorway high seeks destruction. 20One who has a crooked mind finds nothing good, And one who is corrupted in his language falls into evil. 21He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 22A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. 23A wicked person accepts a bribe from an inside pocket To pervert the ways of justice. 24Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who gave birth to him. 26It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. 27One who withholds his words has knowledge, And one who has a cool spirit is a person of understanding. 28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
Christian Standard Bible

1Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share an inheritance among brothers.
3A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.
4A wicked person listens to malicious talk; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished.
6Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers.
7Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.
8A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.
10A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person more than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11An evil person desires only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness.
13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.
14To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just — both are detestable to the Lord.
16Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.
18One without sense enters an agreement and puts up security for his friend.
19One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.
20One with a twisted mind will not succeed, and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.
21A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.
22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked person secretly takes a bribe to subvert the course of justice.
24Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
26It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person or to beat a noble for his honesty.
27The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a person of understanding. 28Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent— discerning, when he seals his lips.
New Living Translation

1Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting — and conflict.
2A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.
3Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
4Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
5Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
6Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
7Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
8A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
9Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
11Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
12It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
13If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.
14Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.
15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent — both are detestable to the Lord.
16It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
17A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
18It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.
19Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
20The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
21It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
23The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
26It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.
27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
King James Version

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
New King James Version

1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. 4An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. 5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. 7Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. 10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. 11An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. 14The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. 16Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. 19He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. 21He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 22A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. 23A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. 24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. 26Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. 27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. 28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

What does Proverbs chapter 17 mean?

This continues an extended list of wise sayings from Solomon (Proverbs 10:1).

The first section of this chapter deals with virtues such as family harmony and honesty. As do other portions of this book, these statements warn that those who plan evil will suffer consequences. God cannot be deceived, and He knows precisely what's on each person's heart (Proverbs 17:1–6).

The next group of proverbs covers a wide range of ideas. Major themes include sins that cause anger or division between people, friendship, and careful use of one's resources. These verses often exhibit the common pattern of contrast or doubly-stated ideas (Proverbs 17:7–21).

The chapter ends with wisdom centered on godly spirituality and a controlled tongue. In contrast, negativity and bribery are sins to be denounced (Proverbs 17:22–28).
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