1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a 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 a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
1 Better H2896 is a dry H2720 morsel, H6595 and quietness H7962 therewith, than an house H1004 full H4392 of sacrifices H2077 with strife. H7379
2 A wise H7919 servant H5650 shall have rule H4910 over a son H1121 that causeth shame, H954 and shall have part H2505 of the inheritance H5159 among H8432 the brethren. H251
3 The fining pot H4715 is for silver, H3701 and the furnace H3564 for gold: H2091 but the LORD H3068 trieth H974 the hearts. H3826
4 A wicked doer H7489 giveth heed H7181 to false H205 lips; H8193 and a liar H8267 giveth ear H238 to a naughty H1942 tongue. H3956
5 Whoso mocketh H3932 the poor H7326 reproacheth H2778 his Maker: H6213 and he that is glad H8056 at calamities H343 shall not be unpunished. H5352
6 Children's H1121 children H1121 are the crown H5850 of old men; H2205 and the glory H8597 of children H1121 are their fathers. H1
7 Excellent H3499 speech H8193 becometh H5000 not a fool: H5036 much less do lying H8267 lips H8193 a prince. H5081
8 A gift H7810 is as a precious H2580 stone H68 in the eyes H5869 of him that hath H1167 it: whithersoever it turneth, H6437 it prospereth. H7919
9 He that covereth H3680 a transgression H6588 seeketh H1245 love; H160 but he that repeateth H8138 a matter H1697 separateth H6504 very friends. H441
10 A reproof H1606 entereth H5181 more into a wise man H995 than an hundred H3967 stripes H5221 into a fool. H3684
11 An evil H7451 man seeketh H1245 only rebellion: H4805 therefore a cruel H394 messenger H4397 shall be sent H7971 against him.
12 Let a bear H1677 robbed H7909 of her whelps meet H6298 a man, H376 rather than H408 a fool H3684 in his folly. H200
13 Whoso rewardeth H7725 evil H7451 for good, H2896 evil H7451 shall not depart H4185 H4185 from his house. H1004
14 The beginning H7225 of strife H4066 is as when one letteth out H6362 water: H4325 therefore leave off H5203 contention, H7379 before H6440 it be meddled H1566 with.
15 He that justifieth H6663 the wicked, H7563 and he that condemneth H7561 the just, H6662 even they both H8147 are abomination H8441 to the LORD. H3068
16 Wherefore is there a price H4242 in the hand H3027 of a fool H3684 to get H7069 wisdom, H2451 seeing he hath no heart H3820 to it?
17 A friend H7453 loveth H157 at all times, H6256 and a brother H251 is born H3205 for adversity. H6869
18 A man H120 void H2638 of understanding H3820 striketh H8628 hands, H3709 and becometh H6148 surety H6161 in the presence H6440 of his friend. H7453
19 He loveth H157 transgression H6588 that loveth H157 strife: H4683 and he that exalteth H1361 his gate H6607 seeketh H1245 destruction. H7667
20 He that hath a froward H6141 heart H3820 findeth H4672 no good: H2896 and he that hath a perverse H2015 tongue H3956 falleth H5307 into mischief. H7451
21 He that begetteth H3205 a fool H3684 doeth it to his sorrow: H8424 and the father H1 of a fool H5036 hath no joy. H8055
22 A merry H8056 heart H3820 doeth good H3190 like a medicine: H1456 but a broken H5218 spirit H7307 drieth H3001 the bones. H1634
23 A wicked H7563 man taketh H3947 a gift H7810 out of the bosom H2436 to pervert H5186 the ways H734 of judgment. H4941
24 Wisdom H2451 is before him that hath understanding; H6440 H995 but the eyes H5869 of a fool H3684 are in the ends H7097 of the earth. H776
25 A foolish H3684 son H1121 is a grief H3708 to his father, H1 and bitterness H4470 to her that bare H3205 him.
26 Also to punish H6064 the just H6662 is not good, H2896 nor to strike H5221 princes H5081 for equity. H3476
27 He that hath H3045 knowledge H1847 spareth H2820 his words: H561 and a man H376 of understanding H8394 is of an excellent H3368 H7119 spirit. H7307
28 Even a fool, H191 when he holdeth his peace, H2790 is counted H2803 wise: H2450 and he that shutteth H331 his lips H8193 is esteemed a man of understanding. H995
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
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.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; `And' a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; `And' he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A bribe is `as' a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is `as' when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
17 A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool `doeth it' to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, `Nor' to smite the noble for `their' uprightness.
27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is `esteemed as' prudent.
1 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.
4 An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6 Sons' sons `are' the crown of old men, And the glory of sons `are' their fathers.
7 Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8 A stone of grace `is' the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10 Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12 The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.
14 The beginning of contention `is' a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
15 Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these `are' an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Why `is' this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
17 At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.
18 A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
19 Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
20 The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.
21 Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
22 A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.
23 A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
24 The face of the intelligent `is' to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.
25 A provocation to his father `is' a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.
27 One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper `is' a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
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 Yahweh tests the hearts.
4 An evil-doer heeds wicked 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 isn't fitting for a fool, Much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; But he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding Than a 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 the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he has no understanding?
17 A friend 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 loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn't 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 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 righteous 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.
1 Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.
2 A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.
3 The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
4 A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.
5 Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
8 An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.
9 He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends.
10 A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.
11 An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.
12 It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.
13 If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.
14 The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.
15 He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord.
16 How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?
17 A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.
18 A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.
19 The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.
20 Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble.
21 He who has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son has no joy.
22 A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
23 A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to get a decision for himself in a cause.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth.
26 To give punishment to the upright is not good, or to give blows to the noble for their righteousness.
27 He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.
28 Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 17
Commentary on Proverbs 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 17
Pr 17:1-28.
1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31).
with—literally, "of."
strife—its product, or attendant.
2. (Compare Pr 14:35).
causeth shame—(Pr 10:5).
shall … inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).
3. God only knows, as He tries (Ps 12:6; 66:10) the heart.
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
5. (Compare Pr 14:31).
glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pr 13:22; Ps 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).
9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25).
a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
13. (Compare Ps 7:4; 35:12).
evil—injury to another (Pr 13:21).
14. letteth … water—as a breach in a dam.
before … meddled with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
15. abomination … Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32; 12:2).
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).
17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15).
in the presence, &c.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
19. strife—contention is, and leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh—or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pr 8:36).
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
21. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
22. (Compare Pr 14:30; 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
medicine—or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth—as if the marrow were exhausted.
23. a gift … bosom—Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
to pervert—that is, by bribery.
24. Wisdom … him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Pr 17:21; 10:1).
26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.