Prov. Chapter 17

Proverbs 17

New International Version

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet

than a house full of feasting, with strife.

2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son

and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

but the Lord tests the heart.

4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;

whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—

how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;

they think success will come at every turn.

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,

but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person

more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;

the messenger of death will be sent against them.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

than a fool bent on folly.

13 Evil will never leave the house

of one who pays back evil for good.