Proverbs 17:1-16
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend! A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool. Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won’t have to wait long—they’ll meet it coming and going! Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly. Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning. The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts. Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to GOD. What’s this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn’t recognize it if they saw it!
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man Than an hundred stripes into a fool. An evil man seeketh only rebellion: Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, Even they both are abomination to the LORD. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, Seeing he hath no heart to it?
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool. A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships. A wise person will learn more from a warning than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings. Disobedient people look only for trouble, so a cruel messenger will be sent against them. It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool doing foolish things. Whoever gives evil in return for good will always have trouble at home. Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before a fight breaks out. The LORD hates both of these things: freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent. It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom, because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends. A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool. An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool. Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both. Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends. A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit Than a hundred lashes into a fool. [Is 32:6] A rebellious man seeks only evil; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly. [Hos 13:8] Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. [Ps 109:4, 5; Jer 18:20] The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes]; Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous Are both repulsive to the LORD. [Ex 23:7; Prov 24:24; Is 5:23] Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?
Proverbs 17:1-16 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! Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished. It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness. If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the LORD. It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. Love overlooks the mistakes of others, but dwelling on the failures of others devastates friendships. One word of correction breaks open a teachable heart, but a fool can be corrected a hundred times and still not know what hit him. Rebellion thrives in an evil man, so a messenger of vengeance will be sent to punish him. It’s safer to meet a grizzly bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a reckless fool. The one who returns evil for good can expect to be treated the same way for the rest of his life. Don’t be one who is quick to quarrel, for an argument is hard to stop, and you never know how it will end, so don’t even start down that road! There is nothing God hates more than condemning the one who is innocent and acquitting the one who is guilty. Why pay tuition to educate a fool? For he has no intention of acquiring true wisdom.
Proverbs 17:1-16 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. Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD. Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?