Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
17 Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace
Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.
2
A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]
And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.
3
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.(A)
4
An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips;
And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue.
5
Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,
And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.(B)
6
Grandchildren are the crown of aged men,
And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].(C)
7
Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.
8
A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.
10
A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit
Than a hundred lashes into a fool.(D)
11
A rebellious man seeks only evil;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12
Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs
Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.(E)
13
Whoever returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.(F)
14
The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore [a]abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.
15
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous
Are both repulsive to the Lord.(G)
16
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?
17
A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18
A man lacking common sense gives a pledge
And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
19
He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;
He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].
20
He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.(H)
21
He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.
22
A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.(I)
23
A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket
To pervert the ways of justice.
24
[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.
25
A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father
And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.
26
It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27
He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,
And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).(J)
28
Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:14 The ancient rabbis derived from this statement the principle of seeking a settlement before a case comes to court (cf Matt 5:25; Luke 12:58).
Cross references
- Proverbs 17:3 : Ps 26:2; Prov 27:21; Jer 17:10; Mal 3:3
- Proverbs 17:5 : Job 31:29; Prov 14:31; Obad 12
- Proverbs 17:6 : Ps 127:3; 128:3
- Proverbs 17:10 : Is 32:6
- Proverbs 17:12 : Hos 13:8
- Proverbs 17:13 : Ps 109:4, 5; Jer 18:20
- Proverbs 17:15 : Ex 23:7; Prov 24:24; Is 5:23
- Proverbs 17:20 : James 3:8
- Proverbs 17:22 : Prov 12:25; 15:13, 15
- Proverbs 17:27 : James 1:19