Proverbs 17

1Better a dry piece of bread eaten in peace than a house full of feasting with conflict.

2A wise servant will rule over a shameful son, and that wise servant will share the inheritance among the brothers.

3The furnace tests silver, and the fire tests gold, but the LORD tests hearts.

4An evildoer listens to wicked lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5Whoever mocks the poor insults God, the Maker of all; whoever is glad at another's trouble will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and parents are the pride of their own children.

7Fine words do not fit a fool; even less do lying lips fit a ruler.

8A gift is like a precious stone to the person who gives it; that gift succeeds wherever it goes.

9Whoever covers over an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.

10A rebuke cuts deeper into a wise person than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11An evil person seeks only rebellion, so a cruel messenger will be sent against that evil person.

12Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool in that fool's foolishness.

13If anyone repays evil for good, evil will never leave that person's house.

14Starting a conflict is like breaking open a dam, so stop the argument before the flood begins.

15Whoever declares the guilty innocent, and whoever condemns the innocent — both are disgusting to the LORD.

16Why should a fool pay money to gain wisdom, when that fool has no desire to learn it?

17A friend loves at all times, and a family member is born for times of trouble.

18A person with no sense shakes hands to guarantee a loan, and becomes responsible for a neighbor's debt.

19Whoever loves conflict loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites disaster.

20Whoever has a dishonest heart finds no good; whoever has a lying tongue falls into trouble.

21The parent of a fool will grieve; the father of a fool has no joy.

22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit is like draining a person's strength.

23A wicked person takes a secret bribe to twist the course of justice.

24Wisdom is right in front of someone with understanding, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to that son's father, and bitterness to the mother who bore that son.

26It is not good to punish the innocent or to whip officials for their honesty.

27Whoever has knowledge holds back words, and a person of understanding stays calm.

28Even a fool who stays quiet seems wise; closed lips seem wise and understanding.