1 Better is a dry morsel and tranquility with itThan a house full of 17:1 Lit sacrifices of strife feasting with strife.2 A slave who acts insightfully will rule over a son who acts shamefully,And will share in the inheritance among brothers.3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,But Yahweh tests hearts.4 An evildoer gives heed to lips of wickedness; 17:4Lit Falsehood A liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;He who is glad at disaster will not go unpunished.6 17:6Lit Sons’ sons Grandchildren are the crown of old men,And the beauty of sons is their fathers.7 Excellent lips are not fitting for a 17:7One who rejects wisdom in rebellion against God wicked fool,Even less are lying lips for a noble man.8 A bribe is a 17:8Lit stone of grace charm in the eyes of its owner;Wherever he turns, he prospers.9 He who covers a transgression seeks love,But he who repeats a matter separates close companions.10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who understandsThan a hundred blows into a fool.11 A rebellious man seeks only evil,So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,Rather than a fool in his folly.13 He who returns evil for good,Evil will not depart from his house.14 The beginning of strife islikeletting out water,So abandon the dispute before it breaks out.15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom,When 17:16 Lit there is no heart he has no heartof wisdom?17 A friend loves at all times,And a brother is born for adversity.18 A man lacking a heartof wisdomstrikes his 17:18 Lit palms handsin pledgeAnd becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.19 He who loves transgression loves quarreling;He who makes his doorway high seeks destruction.20 He who has a crooked heart finds no good,And he who is perverted in his tongue falls into evil.21 He who begets a fooldoes soto his grief,And the father of a wicked fool is not glad.22 A glad heart 17:22Lit causes good healing is good medicine,But a broken spirit dries up the bones.23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosomTo thrust aside the paths of justice.24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who understands,But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.25 A foolish son is a vexation to his fatherAnd bitterness to her who gave birth to him.26 It is also not good to punish the righteous,Norto strike the noble fortheiruprightness.27 He who holds back his words 17:27Lit knows has knowledge,And he who has a cool spirit is a man of discernment.28 Even an ignorant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;When he closes his lips, he isconsideredunderstanding.