Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. New Living Translation Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. English Standard Version Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. Berean Standard Bible Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. King James Bible Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. New King James Version Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. New American Standard Bible Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. NASB 1995 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. NASB 1977 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. Legacy Standard Bible Better is a dry morsel and tranquility with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. Amplified Bible Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention. Christian Standard Bible Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife. Holman Christian Standard Bible Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife. American Standard Version Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. Contemporary English Version A dry crust of bread eaten in peace and quiet is better than a feast eaten where everyone argues. English Revised Version Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than an house full of feasting with strife. GOD'S WORD® Translation Better a bite of dry bread [eaten] in peace than a family feast filled with strife. Good News Translation Better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace of mind than have a banquet in a house full of trouble. International Standard Version Dry crumbs in peace are better than a full meal with strife. Majority Standard Bible Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. NET Bible Better is a dry crust of bread where there is quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. New Heart English Bible Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. Webster's Bible Translation Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. World English Bible Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBetter [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, "" Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife. Young's Literal Translation Better is a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife. Smith's Literal Translation Good a dry morsel and peace with it, above a house full of sacrifices of contention. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBetter is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife. Catholic Public Domain Version A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict. New American Bible Better a dry crust with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. New Revised Standard Version Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBETTER is dry bread, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Dry bread in quietness is better than a house full of the sacrifices of judgment. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. Brenton Septuagint Translation Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness1Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.… Cross References Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. Psalm 37:16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. Proverbs 15:16-17 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. / Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 1 Timothy 6:6 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. James 3:16-18 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. / But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. / Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 25:24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. Psalm 133:1 A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Treasury of Scripture Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. an house Proverbs 7:14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. sacrifices Proverbs 21:9,19 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house… Jump to Previous Behaviour Better Bit Bread Crust Dry Feasting Full House Morsel Peace Quiet Quietness Rest Sacrifices Strife Therewith ViolentJump to Next Behaviour Better Bit Bread Crust Dry Feasting Full House Morsel Peace Quiet Quietness Rest Sacrifices Strife Therewith ViolentProverbs 17 1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the WickedBetter a dry morsel in quietness This phrase emphasizes the value of peace and contentment over material abundance. In ancient Israel, bread was a staple food, and a "dry morsel" suggests a simple, perhaps stale piece of bread, indicating minimal sustenance. The cultural context highlights that even the simplest meal is preferable when accompanied by peace. This aligns with the biblical theme that spiritual and relational well-being surpass material wealth (Psalm 37:16, Ecclesiastes 4:6). The idea of quietness or peace is often associated with God's presence and blessing (Isaiah 32:17-18). than a house full of feasting with strife Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical insights into living a life that honors God. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where family and community life were central, and meals were significant social and religious events. 3. Feasting In the context of ancient Israel, feasting was a time of celebration and abundance, often associated with religious festivals or significant life events. 4. Strife This term refers to conflict or discord, which can disrupt peace and harmony within a household or community. 5. Quietness Represents peace and tranquility, a state of being that is highly valued in biblical wisdom literature. Teaching Points Value of Peace Over ProsperityTrue contentment and peace are more valuable than material abundance. Strive for a peaceful home environment rather than one filled with conflict, even if it means having less materially. Contentment in Simplicity Embrace simplicity and find joy in the small things. A simple life with peace is more fulfilling than a life of luxury filled with discord. Guarding Against Strife Be vigilant in maintaining peace in your relationships. Address conflicts early and seek reconciliation to prevent strife from taking root. Wisdom in Prioritizing Relationships Prioritize relationships over material wealth. Invest time and effort in building harmonious relationships with family and community. Spiritual Riches Over Earthly Wealth Focus on spiritual growth and the riches of a relationship with God, which bring true peace and contentment.XVII. (1) A house full of sacrifices.--Possibly the same as the "peace offerings" of Proverbs 7:14 (where see note). The consumption of these may have at times degenerated into licence (comp. 1Samuel 1:13), and quarrelling have ensued. Verse 1. - (Comp, Proverbs 15:16, 17; Proverbs 16:8.) Better (sweeter) is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith. Dry bread was soaked in wine or water before it was eaten. Thus Boaz bid Ruth "dip her morsel in the vinegar" (Ruth 2:14); thus Jesus gave the sop to Judas when he had dipped it (John 13:26). The Septuagint is pleonastic, "Better is a morsel with joy in peace." Aben Ezra connects this verse with the last two of ch. 16, confining the application to the patient man; but the sentence seems rather to be independent and general. Than an house full of sacrifices with strife. Of the thank or peace offerings part only was burnt upon the altar, the rest was eaten by the offerer and his family; and as the victims were always the choicest animals, "a house full of sacrifices" would contain the materials for sumptuous feasting (see on Proverbs 7:4). The joyous family festival often degenerated into excess, which naturally led to quarrels and strife (see 1 Samuel 1:5, 6, 13; 1 Samuel 2:13, etc.). So the agapae of the early Church were desecrated by licence and selfishness (1 Corinthians 11:20, etc.). Septuagint, "than a house full of many good things and unrighteous victims with contention." With this verse compare the Spanish proverb, "Mas vale un pedazo de pan con amor, que gallinas con dolor."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Betterט֤וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good a dry חֲ֭רֵבָה (ḥă·rê·ḇāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 2720: Parched, ruined morsel פַּ֣ת (paṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6595: Fragment, bit, morsel in quietness וְשַׁלְוָה־ (wə·šal·wāh-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7962: Quietness, ease than a house מִ֝בַּ֗יִת (mib·ba·yiṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house full of מָלֵ֥א (mā·lê) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4392: Full, filling, fulness, fully feasting זִבְחֵי־ (ziḇ·ḥê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice with strife. רִֽיב׃ (rîḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute Links Proverbs 17:1 NIVProverbs 17:1 NLT Proverbs 17:1 ESV Proverbs 17:1 NASB Proverbs 17:1 KJV Proverbs 17:1 BibleApps.com Proverbs 17:1 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 17:1 Chinese Bible Proverbs 17:1 French Bible Proverbs 17:1 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness (Prov. 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