Proverbs 17

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.	1 A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.
2 An intelligent servant will rule over a worthless son, and will share the inheritance with the brothers.	2 A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD.	3 Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 The evil man gives heed to wicked lips, and listens to falsehood from a mischievous tongue.	4 The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 He who mocks the poor blasphemes his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.	5 Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage.	6 Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Fine words are out of place in a fool; how much more, lying words in a noble!	7 Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 A man who has a bribe to offer rates it a magic stone; at every turn it brings him success.	8 The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends.	9 Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 A single reprimand does more for a man of intelligence than a hundred lashes for a fool.	10 A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 On rebellion alone is the wicked man bent, but a merciless messenger will be sent against him.	11 The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never a fool in his folly!	12 It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 If a man returns evil for good, from his house evil will not depart.	13 Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins!	14 Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 He who condones the wicked, he who condemns the just, are both an abomination to the LORD.	15 Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.
16 Of what use in the fool's hand are the means to buy wisdom, since he has no mind for it?	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.
17 He who is a friend is always a friend, and a brother is born for the time of stress.	17 Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 Senseless is the man who gives his hand in pledge, who becomes surety for his neighbor.	18 A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 He who loves strife loves guilt; he who builds his gate high courts disaster.	19 Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 He who is perverse in heart finds no good, and a double-tongued man falls into trouble.	20 Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 To be a fool's parent is grief for a man; the father of a numskull has no joy.	21 A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.	22 A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 The wicked man accepts a concealed bribe to pervert the course of justice.	23 The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 The man of intelligence fixes his gaze on wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.	24 Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.	25 A foolish son is the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 It is wrong to fine an innocent man, but beyond reason to scourge princes.	26 It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 He who spares his words is truly wise, and he who is chary of speech is a man of intelligence.	27 Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.	28 If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.