Proverbs 17

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.	1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.	2 An intelligent servant will rule over a worthless son, and will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.	3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD.
4 The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.	4 The evil man gives heed to wicked lips, and listens to falsehood from a mischievous tongue.
5 He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man's ruin, shall not be unpunished.	5 He who mocks the poor blasphemes his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.	6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage.
7 Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.	7 Fine words are out of place in a fool; how much more, lying words in a noble!
8 The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.	8 A man who has a bribe to offer rates it a magic stone; at every turn it brings him success.
9 He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.	9 He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends.
10 A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.	10 A single reprimand does more for a man of intelligence than a hundred lashes for a fool.
11 An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.	11 On rebellion alone is the wicked man bent, but a merciless messenger will be sent against him.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.	12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never a fool in his folly!
13 He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.	13 If a man returns evil for good, from his house evil will not depart.
14 The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.	14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins!
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.	15 He who condones the wicked, he who condemns the just, are both an abomination to the LORD.
16 What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.	16 Of what use in the fool's hand are the means to buy wisdom, since he has no mind for it?
17 He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.	17 He who is a friend is always a friend, and a brother is born for the time of stress.
18 A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.	18 Senseless is the man who gives his hand in pledge, who becomes surety for his neighbor.
19 He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.	19 He who loves strife loves guilt; he who builds his gate high courts disaster.
20 He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.	20 He who is perverse in heart finds no good, and a double-tongued man falls into trouble.
21 A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.	21 To be a fool's parent is grief for a man; the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.	22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.	23 The wicked man accepts a concealed bribe to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.	24 The man of intelligence fixes his gaze on wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.	25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.
26 It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.	26 It is wrong to fine an innocent man, but beyond reason to scourge princes.
27 He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.	27 He who spares his words is truly wise, and he who is chary of speech is a man of intelligence.
28 Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.	28 Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.