Proverbs 17
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New King James VersionNew American Standard Bible 1995
1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.1Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.2A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.
4An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.4An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.5He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.6Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.7Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.
8A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.8A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.9He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
10Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.
11An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.11A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.13He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
18A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.18A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
19He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.19He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.
20He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.20He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
21He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.21He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
22A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.22A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.23A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.24Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.25A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.
26Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.26It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.27He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org
Proverbs 16
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