Proverbs Chapter 17

Proverbs 17 KJV

1. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

2. A wise servant [a] shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, [b] and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. [c]

[a] E.g., “Eliezer” (Gen. 15:2, 24:2-14).

[b] E.g., “Esau” (Gen. 26:34-35, 27:46).

[c] Gal. 4:1-7.

3. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6. Children’s children are the crown of old men; [d] and the glory of children are their fathers.

[d] Figurative (see note on Psa. 6:6; App. 104).

7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10. A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. [e]

[e] E.g., Absalom (2 Sam. 15-18).

12. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. [f]

[f] Isa. 5:20-23. The verse condemns the modern judicial and diplomatic systems of the United Nations and the United States.

16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

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

18. A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. [g]

[g] Matt. 28:12-15.

24. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. [h]

[h] Esau (Gen. 26:34-35, 27:46).

26. Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.