Provérbios 17

¹ Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than an house full ofFor where there were many sacrifices, there were many portions given to the people, with which they feasted.sacrifices [with] strife.

² A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of theThat is, will be made governor over the children.inheritance among the brethren.

³ As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.

⁴ The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.

⁵ Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.

⁶ Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.

⁷ Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.

⁸ A bribe [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever itThe reward has great force to gain the hearts of men.turneth, it prospereth.

⁹ He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very]He that admonishes the prince of his fault makes him his enemy.friends.

¹⁰ A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.

¹¹ An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruelBy the messenger is meant such means as God uses to punish the rebels.messenger shall be sent against him.

¹² Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather thanBy which he means the wicked in his rage, who has no fear of God.a fool in his folly.

¹³ He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.

¹⁵ He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.

¹⁶ Why [is there] aWhat good does it do the wicked to be rich, seeing he does not set his mind to wisdom?price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

¹⁷ A friend loveth at all times, and aSo that he is more than a friend, even a brother that helps in time of adversity.brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸ A man void of understandingRead (Pro_6:1).striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

¹⁹ He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth hisLifts up himself above his degree.gate seeketh destruction.

²⁰ The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.

²¹ He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.

²² A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.

²³ A wicked [man] taketh a bribe out of theThat is, secretly and out of the bosom of the rich.bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

²⁴ Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in theThat is, wander to and fro, and seek not after wisdom.ends of the earth.

²⁵ A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.

²⁶ Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princesFor their well doing.for equity.

²⁷ Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.

²⁸ Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.