17
1 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 Adonai tests the hearts.
4 An evildoer heeds vain striving of iniquity lips.
A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;
the glory of children are their parents.
7 Arrogant speech is not fitting for a fool,
much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 A bribe is a chen ·gracious· stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who covers a rebellious breach of relationship promotes love;
but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding
than one hundred lashes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man,
rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good,
evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam,
therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns as guilty the upright,
both of them alike are an abomination to Adonai.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
since he has no understanding?
17 A friend 'ahav ·affectionately loves· at all times;
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands,
and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who 'ahav ·affectionately loves· rebellious breach of relationship 'ahav ·affectionately loves· strife.
One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity,
and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves.
The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret,
to pervert the ways of mishpat ·justice·.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding,
but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father,
and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also to punish the upright is not good,
nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge.
He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.