Proverbs 17:4–7

4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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!

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

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.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips;

And a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker:

And he that is glad at calamities 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.

4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;

liars pay close attention to slander.

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.

4 Evil people listen to evil words.

Liars pay attention to cruel words.

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.

4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;

And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

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.

4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

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!

4 An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. 

A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue. 

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! 

4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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.

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

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.

4 He who does evil listens to lips of wickedness,

and the liar gives heed to the tongue of mischief.

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.

4 An evil person listens to evil words.

A liar pays attention to words that are harmful.

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!

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips;

A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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.