Proverbs 17 - GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

17 Better a bite of dry bread ⌞eaten⌟ in peace
than a family feast filled with strife.
2 A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully,
and he will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold,
but the one who purifies hearts ⌞by fire⌟ is the Lord.
4 An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips.
A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue.
5 Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker.
Whoever is happy ⌞to see someone’s⌟ distress will not escape punishment.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents,
and parents are the glory of their children.

The Consequences of Being a Fool

7 Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool.
How much less does lying fit a noble person!
8 A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it.[a]
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Whoever forgives an offense seeks love,
but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.

10 A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding
more than a hundred lashes impress a fool.
11 A rebel looks for nothing but evil.
Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent ⌞to punish⌟ him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs
than a fool ⌞carried away⌟ with his stupidity.
13 Whoever pays back evil for good—
evil will never leave his home.
14 Starting a quarrel is ⌞like⌟ opening a floodgate,
so stop before the argument gets out of control.
15 Whoever approves of wicked people
and whoever condemns righteous people
is disgusting to the Lord.

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything?
17 A friend always loves,
and a brother is born to share trouble.
18 A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake.
He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend.
19 Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel.
Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.
20 A twisted mind never finds happiness,
and one with a devious tongue ⌞repeatedly⌟ gets into trouble.
21 The parent of a fool has grief,
and the father of a godless fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but depression drains one’s strength.
23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person,
but the eyes of a fool ⌞are looking around⌟ all over the world.

How Fools Live

25 A foolish son is a heartache to his father
and bitter grief to his mother.

26 To punish an innocent person is not good.
To strike down noble people is not right.
27 Whoever has knowledge controls his words,
and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent.
He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.

Footnotes

  1. 17:8 Or “who receives it.”

You Might Also Like:

Proverbs 17 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

17 Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife. 2 A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance. 3 A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah....
Read More

Proverbs 17 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

17 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than an house full of sacrifices with chiding, (or with arguments). 2 A wise servant shall be lord of fond sons; and he shall part heritage among brethren. (A wise servant shall be lord over his master’s foolish sons and daughters; and in time he shall have part o...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - World English Bible (WEB)

17 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts....
Read More

Proverbs 17 - The Voice (VOICE)

17 Better to gnaw on a bit of dry crust in peace than to feast in a house full of stress.2 A wise servant will be put in charge of a child who behaves badly and will take a share of the inheritance like one of the family.3 Silver is purified in the crucible, gold in the furnace, but motives of the h...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Beware Bribes and Rebellion17 Better is dry crust with peace and quietthan a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful sonand will share the inheritance with the brothers. 3 A crucible is for silverand a furnace is for gold,but Adonai tests the heart. 4 An evi...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

17 Better is a dry morsel with quietthan a house full of feasting with strife.2 A slave 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 tries hearts.4 An evildoer ...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

17 Better is a dry morsel with quietthan a house full of feasting with strife.2 A slave 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 tries hearts.4 An evildoer ...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family.3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.4 An evild...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.(A)2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the family.(B)3 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.(C)4 An e...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. 2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children. 3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4 Wrongdoers eagerly li...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New Life Version (NLV)

17 A dry piece of food with peace and quiet is better than a house full of food with fighting. 2 A servant who is wise in what he does will rule over a son who acts in shame. He will share in what is given as one of the brothers. 3 The melting-pot is for silver and the hot fire is for gold, but the ...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord Tests Hearts17 Better is (A)a dry morsel with quietness,Than a house full of [a]feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over (B)a son who causes shame,And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,(C)But the Lord tests t...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. 2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the family. 3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4 A wicked person listen...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New International Version (NIV)

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.(A) 2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family. 3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(B) but the Lord tests the heart.(C) 4 A wicked perso...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

17 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace and quiet than to eat a big dinner in a house full of fighting. 2 A wise servant will rule over a shameful child. He will be given part of the property as if he were a family member. 3 Fire tests silver, and heat tests gold. But the Lord tests our...
Read More

Proverbs 17 - New English Translation (NET)

17 Better is a dry crust of bread[a] where there is quietness[b]than a house full of feasting with strife.[c]2 A servant who acts wisely[d] will ruleover[e] an heir[f] who behaves shamefully,[g]and will share the inheritance along with the relatives.[h]3 The crucible[i] is for refining[j] silver and...
Read More