| Chapter 17 |
1 |
Better is a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife. |
2 |
A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance. |
3 |
A refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts is Yehovah. |
4 |
An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue. |
5 |
Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted. |
6 |
Sons` sons are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons are their fathers. |
7 |
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood. |
8 |
A stone of grace is the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. |
9 |
Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend. |
10 |
Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool. |
11 |
An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him. |
12 |
The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly. |
13 |
Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house. |
14 |
The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife. |
15 |
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these are an abomination to Yehovah. |
16 |
Why is this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none? |
17 |
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born. |
18 |
A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend. |
19 |
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction. |
20 |
The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil. |
21 |
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not. |
22 |
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone. |
23 |
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment. |
24 |
The face of the intelligent is to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth. |
25 |
A provocation to his father is a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him. |
26 |
Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness. |
27 |
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding. |
28 |
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent! |