Proverbs 17

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.	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 he will divide the inheritance among brothers.	2 An intelligent servant will rule over a worthless son, and will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.	3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD.
4 The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.	4 The evil man gives heed to wicked lips, and listens to falsehood from a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.	5 He who mocks the poor blasphemes his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.	6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage.
7 Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.	7 Fine words are out of place in a fool; how much more, lying words in a noble!
8 The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.	8 A man who has a bribe to offer rates it a magic stone; at every turn it brings him success.
9 Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.	9 He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends.
10 A correction benefits 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 The evil one continually seeks conflicts. 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 more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.	12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never a fool in his folly!
13 Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.	13 If a man returns evil for good, from his house evil will not depart.
14 Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.	14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins!
15 Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.	15 He who condones the wicked, he who condemns the just, are both an abomination to the LORD.
16 What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning 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 Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by 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 his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.	18 Senseless is the man who gives his hand in pledge, who becomes surety for his neighbor.
19 Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.	19 He who loves strife loves guilt; he who builds his gate high courts disaster.
20 Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns 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 foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.	21 To be a fool's parent is grief for a man; the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.	22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.	23 The wicked man accepts a concealed bribe to pervert the course of justice.
24 Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on 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 grief of the mother who conceived him.	25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.
26 It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.	26 It is wrong to fine an innocent man, but beyond reason to scourge princes.
27 Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has 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 If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.	28 Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.