GodsWord - Proverbs - 17

17:1  Better a bite of dry bread eaten in peace than a family feast filled with strife.

17:2  A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully, and he will share the inheritance with the brothers.

17:3  The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts by fire is the LORD.

17:4  An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue.

17:5  Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker. Whoever is happy to see someone's distress will not escape punishment.

17:6  Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and parents are the glory of their children.

17:7  Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. How much less does lying fit a noble person!

17:8  A bribe seems like a jewel to the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers.

17:9  Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.

17:10  A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding more than a hundred lashes impress a fool.

17:11  A rebel looks for nothing but evil. Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent to punish him.

17:12  Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs than a fool carried away with his stupidity.

17:13  Whoever pays back evil for good-- evil will never leave his home.

17:14  Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control.

17:15  Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to the LORD.

17:16  Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn't have a mind to grasp anything?

17:17  A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.

17:18  A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend.

17:19  Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel. Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.

17:20  A twisted mind never finds happiness, and one with a devious tongue repeatedly gets into trouble.

17:21  The parent of a fool has grief, and the father of a godless fool has no joy.

17:22  A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength.

17:23  A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.

17:24  Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool are looking around all over the world.

17:25  A foolish son is a heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother.

17:26  To punish an innocent person is not good. To strike down noble people is not right.

17:27  Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.

17:28  Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.