Proverbs 17 · Clearspring

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

¹Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.+ ²A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.+ ³The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.+ ⁴An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.+ ⁵Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.+ ⁶Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.+ ⁷Arrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.+ ⁸A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.+ ⁹He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.+ ¹⁰A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.+ ¹¹An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.+ ¹²Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.+ ¹³Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.+ ¹⁴The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.+ ¹⁵He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.+ ¹⁶Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?+ ¹⁷A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.+ ¹⁸A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.+ ¹⁹He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.+ ²⁰One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.+ ²¹He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.+ ²²A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.+ ²³A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.+ ²⁴Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.+ ²⁵A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.+ ²⁶Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.+ ²⁷He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.+ ²⁸Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.+

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

Study Proverbs 17