Proverbs 17:5–9

5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;

whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—

how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;

they think success will come at every turn.

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,

but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;

he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;

still less is false speech to a prince.

8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;

wherever he turns he prospers.

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,

but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;

those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;

parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;

even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

8 A bribe is like a lucky charm;

whoever gives one will prosper!

9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,

but dwelling on it separates close friends.

5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;

He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men,

And the glory of children is their father.

7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,

Much less lying lips to a prince.

8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;

Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 He who covers a transgression seeks love,

But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

5 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker;

whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will be punished.

6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren,

and children are proud of their parents.

7 Fools should not be proud,

and rulers should not be liars.

8 Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask.

They think it will work every time.

9 Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend,

but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;

And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;

And the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool;

Much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it;

Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;

But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

5 Whoso mocketh a poor man reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile man; how much less do lying lips a noble!

8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.

9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.

5 Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker. 

Whoever is happy ⸤to see someone’s⸥ distress will not escape punishment. 

6 Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, 

and parents are the glory of their children. 

7 Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. 

How much less does lying fit a noble person! 

8 A bribe seems ⸤like⸥ a jewel to the one who gives it.

Wherever he turns, he prospers. 

9 Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, 

but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends. 

5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,

and one who rejoices over calamity

will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,

and the pride of sons is their fathers.

7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;

how much worse are lies for a ruler.

8 A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner;

wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,

but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;

those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their parents.

7 Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;

still less is false speech to a ruler.

8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;

wherever they turn they prosper.

9 One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,

but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

5 He who mocks the poor insults him who made him;

he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 The crown of the elderly are grandchildren,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

7 Fine speech is not becoming a fool,

still less is false speech for a ruler.

8 The bribe is a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;

everywhere he will turn, he will prosper.

9 He who forgives an affront fosters love,

but he who waits on a matter will alienate a friend.

5 Anyone who laughs at those who are poor makes fun of their Maker.

Anyone who is happy when others suffer will be punished.

6 Grandchildren are like a crown to older people.

And children are proud of their parents.

7 It isn’t proper for foolish people to brag.

And it certainly isn’t proper for rulers to tell lies!

8 Money buys favors for those who give it.

No matter where they turn, they succeed.

9 Those who erase a sin by forgiving it show love.

But those who talk about it come between close friends.

5 He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;

He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men,

And the glory of sons is their fathers.

7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,

Much less are lying lips to a prince.

8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner;

Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love,

But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.