(KJV) Proverbs 17

⥃Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

[1] Better [is] a dry¹ morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house² full of sacrifices³ [with⁴] strife. [2] A wise⁵ servant shall have rule over a son that⁶ causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. [3] The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.⁷ [4] A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.⁸ [5] Whoso mocketh⁹ the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and¹⁰] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished¹¹. [6] Children’s¹² children [are] the crown of old men; and the¹³ glory of children [are] their fathers. [7] Excellent speech¹⁴ becometh not a fool: much¹⁵ less do lying lips¹⁶ a prince. [8] A gift¹⁷ [is as] a precious stone¹⁸ in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever¹⁹ it turneth, it prospereth. [9] He that covereth²⁰ a transgression seeketh²¹ love; but²² he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends. [10] A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.²³²⁴ [11] An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.²⁵ [12] Let a bear²⁶ robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather²⁷ than a fool in his folly. [13] Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.²⁸ [14] The beginning²⁹ of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave³⁰ off contention, before it be meddled with. [15] He that justifieth³¹ the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination³² to the Lord. [16] Wherefore [is there] a price³³ in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing³⁴ [he hath] no heart [to it]? [17] A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.³⁵ [18] A man void³⁶ of understanding³⁷ striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend. [19] He loveth³⁸ transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that³⁹ exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. [20] He that hath a froward heart⁴⁰ findeth no good: and he⁴¹ that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. [21] He that⁴² begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath⁴³ no joy. [22] A merry⁴⁴ heart doeth good [like] a medicine⁴⁵: but a broken⁴⁶ spirit drieth the bones. [23] A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.⁴⁷ [24] Wisdom [is] before⁴⁸ him that hath understanding; but the eyes⁴⁹ of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth. [25] A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.⁵⁰ [26] Also to punish⁵¹ the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike⁵² princes for equity. [27] He that hath knowledge spareth⁵³ his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit⁵⁴. [28] Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding. ⁵⁵