Proverbs 17

English God's Word - GW 1995

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1Better a bite of dry bread {eaten} in peace than a family feast filled with strife.

2A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully, and he will share the inheritance with the brothers.

3The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts {by fire} is the Lord.

4An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue.

5Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker. Whoever is happy {to see someone's} distress will not escape punishment.

6Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and parents are the glory of their children.

7Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. How much less does lying fit a noble person!

8A bribe seems {like} a jewel to the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.

10A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding more than a hundred lashes impress a fool.

11A rebel looks for nothing but evil. Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent {to punish} him.

12Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs than a fool {carried away} with his stupidity.

13Whoever pays back evil for good— evil will never leave his home.

14Starting a quarrel is {like} opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control.

15Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to the Lord.

16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn't have a mind to grasp anything?

17A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.

18A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend.

19Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel. Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.

20A twisted mind never finds happiness, and one with a devious tongue {repeatedly} gets into trouble.

21The parent of a fool has grief, and the father of a godless fool has no joy.

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength.

23A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.

24Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool {are looking around} all over the world.

25A foolish son is a heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother.

26To punish an innocent person is not good. To strike down noble people is not right.

27Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.

28Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.

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