17:1  Better `is' a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.

17:2  A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

17:3  A refining pot `is' for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts `is' Jehovah.

17:4  An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.

17:5  Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.

17:6  Sons' sons `are' the crown of old men, And the glory of sons `are' their fathers.

17:7  Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

17:8  A stone of grace `is' the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

17:9  Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.

17:10  Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.

17:11  An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.

17:12  The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly.

17:13  Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.

17:14  The beginning of contention `is' a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.

17:15  Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these `are' an abomination to Jehovah.

17:16  Why `is' this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?

17:17  At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.

17:18  A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.

17:19  Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.

17:20  The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.

17:21  Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.

17:22  A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.

17:23  A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.

17:24  The face of the intelligent `is' to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.

17:25  A provocation to his father `is' a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.

17:26  Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.

17:27  One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper `is' a man of understanding.

17:28  Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!