Proverbs 17–19

1Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

5He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.

16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

19He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.

27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.

14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

10Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.

17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.