17:1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.

    17:2 A servant who deals wisely will have rule over a son who causes shame and will have part in the inheritance among the brothers.

    17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.

    17:4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar listens to a mischievous tongue.

    17:5 He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity will not be unpunished.

    17:6 Son's sons are the crown of old men and the glory of sons are their fathers.

    17:7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a noble.

    17:8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.

    17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates companions.

    17:10 A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

    17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

    17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.

    17:13 He who rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

    17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarreling.

    17:15 He who justifies a wicked man and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

    17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

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

    17:18 A man void of understanding strikes hands and becomes a surety in the presence of his neighbor.

    17:19 He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.

    17:20 He who has a wayward heart finds no good and he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

    17:21 He who begets a fool, it is to his sorrow and the father of a fool has no joy.

    17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

    17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.

    17:24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

    17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

    17:26 Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to strike nobles for uprightness.

    17:27 He who spares his words has knowledge and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

    17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.