17TH CHAPTER

1  Better a bite of dry bread ⸤eaten⸥ in peace 

than a family feast filled with strife. 

2  A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully, 

and he will share the inheritance with the brothers. 

3  The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, 

but the one who purifies hearts ⸤by fire⸥ is the Lord. 

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. 

The Consequences of Being a Fool

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.a

Wherever he turns, he prospers. 

9  Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, 

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

10  A reprimand impresses a person who has understanding 

more than a hundred lashes impress a fool. 

11  A rebel looks for nothing but evil. 

Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent ⸤to punish⸥ him. 

12  Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs 

than a fool ⸤carried away⸥ with his stupidity. 

13  Whoever pays back evil for good— 

evil will never leave his home. 

14  Starting a quarrel is ⸤like⸥ opening a floodgate, 

so stop before the argument gets out of control. 

15  Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people 

is disgusting to the Lord. 

16  Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom 

when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? 

17  A friend always loves, 

and a brother is born to share trouble. 

18  A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. 

He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend. 

19  Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel. 

Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction. 

20  A twisted mind never finds happiness, 

and one with a devious tongue ⸤repeatedly⸥ gets into trouble. 

21  The parent of a fool has grief, 

and the father of a godless fool has no joy. 

22  A joyful heart is good medicine, 

but depression drains one’s strength. 

23  A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice. 

24  Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, 

but the eyes of a fool ⸤are looking around⸥ all over the world. 

How Fools Live

25  A foolish son is a heartache to his father 

and bitter grief to his mother. 

26  To punish an innocent person is not good. 

To strike down noble people is not right. 

27  Whoever has knowledge controls his words, 

and a person who has understanding is even-tempered. 

28  Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. 

He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.