Proverbs 17:1

AMP: Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peaceThan a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.

ASV: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

BSB: Better a dry morsel in quietnessthan a house full of feasting with strife.

DARBY: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.

DRA: Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.

KJV: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 17:2

AMP: A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.

ASV: A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

BSB: A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful sonand share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

DARBY: A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

DRA: A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

KJV: A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

Proverbs 17:3

AMP: The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,But the Lord tests hearts. [Ps 26:2; Prov 27:21; Jer 17:10; Mal 3:3]

ASV: The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

BSB: A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold,but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

DARBY: The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.

DRA: As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

KJV: The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Proverbs 17:4

AMP: An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips;And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue.

ASV: An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

BSB: A wicked man listens to evil lips;a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

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

DRA: The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.

KJV: A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Proverbs 17:5

AMP: Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished. [Job 31:29; Prov 14:31; Obad 12]

ASV: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

BSB: He who mocks the poor insults their Maker;whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

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

DRA: He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man's ruin, shall not be unpunished.

KJV: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 17:6

AMP: Grandchildren are the crown of aged men,And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives]. [Ps 127:3; 128:3]

ASV: Children`s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

BSB: Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,and the glory of a son is his father.

DARBY: Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

DRA: Children's children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.

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

Proverbs 17:7

AMP: Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.

ASV: Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

BSB: Eloquent words are unfit for a fool;how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

DARBY: Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

DRA: Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

KJV: Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Proverbs 17:8

AMP: A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;Wherever he turns, he prospers.

ASV: A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

BSB: A bribe is a charm to its giver;wherever he turns, he succeeds.

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

DRA: The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.

KJV: A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Proverbs 17:9

AMP: He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

ASV: He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

BSB: Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,but he who brings it up separates friends.

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

DRA: He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

KJV: He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Proverbs 17:10

AMP: A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spiritThan a hundred lashes into a fool. [Is 32:6]

ASV: A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

BSB: A rebuke cuts into a man of discernmentdeeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

DARBY: A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

DRA: A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

KJV: A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Proverbs 17:11

AMP: A rebellious man seeks only evil;Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

ASV: An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

BSB: An evil man seeks only rebellion;a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

DARBY: An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

DRA: An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.

KJV: An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Proverbs 17:12

AMP: Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubsRather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly. [Hos 13:8]

ASV: Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

BSB: It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubsthan a fool in his folly.

DARBY: Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.

DRA: It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.

KJV: Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 17:13

AMP: Whoever returns evil for good,Evil will not depart from his house. [Ps 109:4, 5; Jer 18:20]

ASV: Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

BSB: If anyone returns evil for good,evil will never leave his house.

DARBY: Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

DRA: He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

KJV: Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Proverbs 17:14

AMP: The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.

ASV: The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

BSB: To start a quarrel is to release a flood;so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

DARBY: The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

DRA: The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.

KJV: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 17:15

AMP: He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteousAre both repulsive to the Lord. [Ex 23:7; Prov 24:24; Is 5:23]

ASV: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

BSB: Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

DARBY: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

DRA: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.

KJV: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 17:16

AMP: Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?

ASV: Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

BSB: Why should the fool have money in his handwith no intention of buying wisdom?

DARBY: To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?

DRA: What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

KJV: Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Proverbs 17:17

AMP: A friend loves at all times,And a brother is born for adversity.

ASV: A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

BSB: A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity.

DARBY: The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

DRA: He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

KJV: A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:18

AMP: A man lacking common sense gives a pledgeAnd becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.

ASV: A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

BSB: A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledgeand puts up security for his neighbor.

DARBY: A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

DRA: A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.

KJV: A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Proverbs 17:19

AMP: He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].

ASV: He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

BSB: He who loves transgression loves strife;he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

DARBY: He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

DRA: He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

KJV: He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Proverbs 17:20

AMP: He who has a crooked mind finds no good,And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. [James 3:8]

ASV: He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

BSB: The one with a perverse heart finds no good,and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

DARBY: He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

DRA: He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.

KJV: He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Proverbs 17:21

AMP: He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow,And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.

ASV: He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

BSB: A man fathers a fool to his own grief;the father of a fool has no joy.

DARBY: He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.

DRA: A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.

KJV: He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Proverbs 17:22

AMP: A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing,But a broken spirit dries up the bones. [Prov 12:25; 15:13, 15]

ASV: A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

BSB: A joyful heart is good medicine,but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

DARBY: A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

DRA: A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

KJV: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:23

AMP: A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocketTo pervert the ways of justice.

ASV: A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

BSB: A wicked man takes a covert bribeto subvert the course of justice.

DARBY: A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

DRA: The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.

KJV: A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Proverbs 17:24

AMP: [Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.

ASV: Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

BSB: Wisdom is the focus of the discerning,but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

DARBY: Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

DRA: Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.

KJV: Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:25

AMP: A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his fatherAnd bitterness to her who gave birth to him.

ASV: A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

BSB: A foolish son brings grief to his fatherand bitterness to her who bore him.

DARBY: A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

DRA: A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.

KJV: A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Proverbs 17:26

AMP: It is also not good to fine the righteous,Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

ASV: Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.

BSB: It is surely not good to punish the innocentor to flog a noble for his honesty.

DARBY: To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.

DRA: It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.

KJV: Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Proverbs 17:27

AMP: He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper). [James 1:19]

ASV: He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

BSB: A man of knowledge restrains his words,and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

DARBY: He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.

DRA: He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.

KJV: He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Proverbs 17:28

AMP: Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.

ASV: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.

BSB: Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent,and discerning when he holds his tongue.

DARBY: Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

DRA: Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

KJV: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17

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