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

17:2  A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

17:3  The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

17:4  An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

17:5  He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

17:6  Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.

17:7  Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

17:8  A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

17:9  He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

17:10  A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.

17:11  A rebellious man seeks only evil, So 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 returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

17:14  The beginning of strife is {like} letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

17:15  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

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

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

17:18  A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

17:19  He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

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 sires a fool {does so} to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

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

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

17:24  Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on 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  It is also not good to fine the righteous, {Nor} to strike the noble for {their} uprightness.

17:27  He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

17:28  Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is {considered} prudent.