Self-interpreting Bible
Proverbs 17
Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.
1 BETTER is aa dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of 1sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over ba son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The c*fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
- c: Pr. 27:21 , Ps. 26:2 , Ps. 17:3 , Ps. 139:23 , Ps. 139:24 , Je. 17:10 , Mal. 3:3 , 1Pe. 1:7 , Is. 48:10
- *: fining-refining.
4 A dwicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a *naughty tongue.
- d: 1Sa. 22:7 - 11 , 1Ki. 22:6 - 27 , Pr. 29:12
- *: naughty-worthless, bad.
5 eWhoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be 2unpunished.
6 fChildren's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 3Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do 4lying lips a prince.
- 3: Heb. A lip of excellency. ch. 26.7; 16.10-13; 29.12. , Pr. 26:7 , Pr. 16:10 - 13 , Pr. 29:12
- 4: Heb. a lip of lying.
8 A ggift is as 5a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
- g: Pr. 18:16 , Pr. 19:6 , Pr. 21:14 , Genesis 33 , 1 Samuel 25 , 2Sa. 16:1 - 4
- 5: Heb. a stone of grace.
9 He hthat covereth a transgression 6seeketh love; ibut he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 7A jreproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An kevil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
- k: 2 Samuel 18 , 2 Samuel 20 , Numbers 16
12 lLet a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso mrewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
- m: Ps. 55:12 - 15 , Ps. 35:12 , Ps. 109:4 - 20 , Ro. 12:17 , 1Th. 5:15 , 1Pe. 3:9 , Mat. 5:39
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: ntherefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 oHe that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
- o: Ex. 23:7 , Pr. 24:24 , Is. 5:23 , Is. 5:24 , Eze. 13:10 , Eze. 13:16 , 1Ki. 21:13
16 pWherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
- p: Is. 55:1 - 7 , Ps. 81:8 - 11 , Ho. 11:2 , Ho. 11:7 , Ac. 13:46 , Ac. 13:47 , 2Co. 6:1 , He. 2:3
17 A qfriend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- q: Pr. 18:24 , 1 Samuel 18 - 20 , 1 Samuel 23 , 2 Samuel 1 , 2 Samuel 9 , Ru. 1:16 , Es. 4:14 , Job 6:14
18 A rman void of 8understanding *striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
- r: Pr. 6:1 - 5 , Pr. 11:15 , Pr. 20:16 , Pr. 22:26 , Pr. 22:27
- 8: Heb. heart.
- *: striketh hands-shakes hands, usually concluding an agreement.
19 He sloveth transgression that loveth strife: and the that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 9He uthat hath a *froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He vthat begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A wmerry heart doeth good 10like a medicine: but xa broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A ywicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 zWisdom is before him that hath understanding; abut the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A bfoolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
- b: Pr. 10:1 , Pr. 15:20 , Pr. 19:13 , Pr. 17:25 , 2 Samuel 13 - 18
26 cAlso to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He dthat hath knowledge espareth his words: and a man of understanding is of 11an excellent spirit.