Proverbs 17

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.	1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.	2 An intelligent servant will rule over a worthless son, and will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.	3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.	4 The evil man gives heed to wicked lips, and listens to falsehood from a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities 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 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.	7 Fine words are out of place in a fool; how much more, lying words in a noble!
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.	8 A man who has a bribe to offer rates it a magic stone; at every turn it brings him success.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.	9 He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.	10 A single reprimand does more for a man of intelligence than a hundred lashes for a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.	11 On rebellion alone is the wicked man bent, but a merciless messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.	12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never a fool in his folly!
13 Whoso rewardeth 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 strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.	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, even they both are abomination to the LORD.	15 He who condones the wicked, he who condemns the just, are both an abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?	16 Of what use in the fool's hand are the means to buy wisdom, since he has no mind for it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.	17 He who is a friend is always a friend, and a brother is born for the time of stress.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.	18 Senseless is the man who gives his hand in pledge, who becomes surety for his neighbor.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.	19 He who loves strife loves guilt; he who builds his gate high courts disaster.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.	20 He who is perverse in heart finds no good, and a double-tongued man falls into trouble.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.	21 To be a fool's parent is grief for a man; the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.	22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.	23 The wicked man accepts a concealed bribe to pervert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool 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 a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.	25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.	26 It is wrong to fine an innocent man, but beyond reason to scourge princes.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent 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, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.	28 Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.