17
1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace,
Than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters,
And shall divide portions among brethren.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace,
So are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors:
But a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him;
And he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless:
But he that has compassion shall find mercy.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;
And their fathers are the glory of children.
6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth;
But the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool;
Nor lying lips a just man.
8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward:
And whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 He that conceals injuries seeks love;
But he that hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man;
But a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes:
But the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding;
But fools will meditate evils.
13 Whoso rewards evil for good,
Evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words;
But sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust,
Is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Why has the fool wealth?
For a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom.
16a He that exalts his own house seeks ruin;
And he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischiefs.
17 Have thou a friend for every time,
And let brethren be useful in distress;
For on this account are they born.
18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself,
As he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 And the hard-hearted man comes not in for good.
A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 And the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor.
A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son;
But a wise son gladdens his mother.
22 A glad heart promotes health;
But the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in his bosom do not prosper;
And an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible;
But the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father,
And grief to her that bore him.
26 It is not right to punish a righteous man,
Nor is it holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet,
And a patient man is wise.
28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom:
And he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.