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17:1  Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.
17:2  A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family] And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.
17:3  The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.
17:4  An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips; And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue.
17:5  Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker, And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.
17:6  Grandchildren are the crown of aged men, And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].
17:7  Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind], Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.
17:8  A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
17:9  He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.
17:10  A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit Than a hundred lashes into a fool.
17:11  A rebellious man seeks only evil; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
17:12  Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.
17:13  Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
17:14  The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes]; Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.
17:15  He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous Are both repulsive to the Lord.
17:16  Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?
17:17  A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
17:18  A man lacking common sense gives a pledge And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
17:19  He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome; He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].
17:20  He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
17:21  He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.
17:22  A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
17:23  A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket To pervert the ways of justice.
17:24  [Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it], But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.
17:25  A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.
17:26  It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
17:27  He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words, And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).
17:28  Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.