1901 American Standard Version (ASV)

1 From this chapter to the five and twentieth are sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices.

17:1 ¶ Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

17:2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

17:3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

17:4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

17:8 A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

17:10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

17:14 The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

17:17 A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

17:20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

17:21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

17:23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

17:24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

17:26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.

17:27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.