Proverbs 17

A meal of bread and water in contented peace
    is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels.

Better a dry crust eaten in peace
    than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child
    and is honored as one of the family.

A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan,
    so our lives are assayed by God.

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
    but the Lord tests the heart.

Evil people relish malicious conversation;
    the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.

Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
    liars pay close attention to slander.

Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator;
    gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

Old people are distinguished by grandchildren;
    children take pride in their parents.

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
    parents^[a] are the pride of their children.

We don’t expect eloquence from fools,
    nor do we expect lies from our leaders.

Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
    even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone;
    any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.

A bribe is like a lucky charm;
    whoever gives one will prosper!

Overlook an offense and bond a friendship;
    fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
    but dwelling on it separates close friends.

A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense
    does more than a whack on the head of a fool.

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
    than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble
    won’t have to wait long—they’ll meet it coming and going!

Evil people are eager for rebellion,
    but they will be severely punished.

Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs
    than a fool hellbent on folly.

It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
    than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

Those who return evil for good
    will meet their own evil returning.

If you repay good with evil,
    evil will never leave your house.

The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,
    so stop it before it bursts.

Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
    so stop before a dispute breaks out.

Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people
    are equally abhorrent to God.

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
    both are detestable to the Lord.

What’s this? Fools out shopping for wisdom!
    They wouldn’t recognize it if they saw it!

It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
    since he has no heart for learning.

Friends love through all kinds of weather,
    and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

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

It’s stupid to try to get something for nothing,
    or run up huge bills you can never pay.

It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt
    or put up security for a friend.

The person who courts sin marries trouble;
    build a wall, invite a burglar.

Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
    anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

A bad motive can’t achieve a good end;
    double-talk brings you double trouble.

The crooked heart will not prosper;
    the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

Having a fool for a child is misery;
    it’s no fun being the parent of a dolt.

It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
    there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

A cheerful disposition is good for your health;
    gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

The wicked take bribes under the table;
    they show nothing but contempt for justice.

The wicked take secret bribes
    to pervert the course of justice.

The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard;
    fools look for it everywhere but right here.

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father,
    a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.

Foolish children^[b] bring grief to their father
    and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

It’s wrong to penalize good behavior,
    or make good citizens pay for the crimes of others.

It is wrong to punish the godly for being good
    or to flog leaders for being honest.

The one who knows much says little;
    an understanding person remains calm.

A truly wise person uses few words;
    a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise;
    as long as they keep their mouths shut, they’re smart.