Proverbs 17:1-8
Proverbs 17:1-8 The Message (MSG)
A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels. A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family. As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are refined by GOD. Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip. Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime. Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents. We don’t expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders. Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.
Proverbs 17:1-8 King James Version (KJV)
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than an house full of sacrifices with strife. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: But the LORD trieth the hearts. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; And a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: And he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: Much less do lying lips a prince. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Proverbs 17:1-8 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers. Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince. A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Proverbs 17:1-8 New Century Version (NCV)
It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace than to have a feast where there is quarreling. A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful child and will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his children. A hot furnace tests silver and gold, but the LORD tests hearts. Evil people listen to evil words. Liars pay attention to cruel words. Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker; whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will be punished. Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents. Fools should not be proud, and rulers should not be liars. Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask. They think it will work every time.
Proverbs 17:1-8 American Standard Version (ASV)
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren. The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince. A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Proverbs 17:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
Proverbs 17:1-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Proverbs 17:1-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention. A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family] And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. [Ps 26:2; Prov 27:21; Jer 17:10; Mal 3:3] An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips; And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue. Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker, And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished. [Job 31:29; Prov 14:31; Obad 12] Grandchildren are the crown of aged men, And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives]. [Ps 127:3; 128:3] Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind], Much less do lying lips benefit a prince. A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Proverbs 17:1-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children. Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart. Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished. Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
Proverbs 17:1-8 The Passion Translation (TPT)
A simple, humble life with peace and quiet is far better than an opulent lifestyle with nothing but quarrels and strife at home. A wise, intelligent servant will be honored above a shameful son. He’ll even end up having a portion left to him in his master’s will. In the same way that gold and silver are refined by fire, the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life. Those eager to embrace evil listen to slander, for a liar loves to listen to lies. Mock the poor, will you? You insult your Creator every time you do! If you make fun of others’ misfortune, you’d better watch out—your punishment is on its way. Grandparents have the crowning glory of life: grandchildren! And it’s only proper for children to take pride in their parents. It is not proper for a leader to lie and deceive, and don’t expect excellent words to be spoken by a fool. Wise instruction is like a costly gem. It turns the impossible into success.
Proverbs 17:1-8 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.