CHAPTER 17
1Better a dry crust with tranquillity
than a house filled with feasting and quarrel.
2A clever slave rules over a son who shames,
and in the midst of brothers will share the inheritance.
3Silver has a crucible and gold a kiln,
and the LORD tries hearts.
4An evildoer listens to wicked speech,
a liar hearkens to calamitous talk.
5Who mocks the poor insults his Maker,
who rejoices in ruin will not go scot-free.
6The crown of the elders is sons of sons,
and the glory of sons, their fathers.
7Unfit for a scoundrel, overweening speech,
much less for a nobleman, lying speech.
8A bribe is a gemstone in the eyes of its user;
wherever he turns he will prosper.
9Who overlooks faults seeks love,
and who repeats a speech drives off a friend.
10A rebuke comes down on a discerning man,
more than a hundred blows on a fool.
11Sheer rebellion an evil man seeks,
but a cruel agent will be against him.
12Better meet a bear bereft of its cubs,
than a dolt in his folly.
13Who gives back evil for good,
evil will not depart from his house.
14Like opening a sluice is a quarrel’s start—
before strife flares up, let it go.
15Who acquits the wicked or condemns the just,
the LORD’s loathing are they both.
16Why is there a fee in the hand of the fool
to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
17At all times a companion is loving,
and a brother was born for the hour of trouble.
18A senseless man offers his hand,
stands bond for his fellow man.
19Who loves crime loves dissension,
who builds a high doorway seeks a downfall.
20A crooked man will come to no good,
and the perverse of speech will fall into harm.
21One begets a fool to one’s own grief,
and a scoundrel’s father will not rejoice.
22A joyful heart can effect a cure,
but a lamed spirit dries up the bones.
23Bribe from his bosom the wicked man takes
to tilt the paths of justice.
24Right in front of the discerning is wisdom,
but the fool’s eyes are on the ends of the earth.
25Vexation to his father, a foolish son,
and gall to her who bore him.
26To punish the just is surely not good,
to flog nobles for uprightness.
27Who is sparing in speech knows knowledge,
and coolheaded is the man of discerning.
28A silent dolt, too, may be reckoned wise,
who seals his lips, may be deemed discerning.