Proverbs 17

1 Better a dry piece of bread with calm than a house full of food but also full of strife.

2 An intelligent slave will rule a shameful son and share the inheritance with the brothers.

3 The crucible [tests] silver, and the furnace [tests] gold, but the one who tests hearts is ADONAI.

4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips; a liar listens to destructive talk.

5 He who mocks the poor insults his maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, while the glory of children is their ancestors.

7 Fine speech is unbecoming to a boor, and even less lying lips to a leader.

8 A bribe works like a charm, in the view of him who gives it -wherever it turns, it succeeds.

9 He who conceals an offense promotes love, but he who harps on it can separate even close friends.

10 A rebuke makes more impression on a person of understanding than a hundred blows on a fool.

11 An evil person seeks only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Rather meet a bear robbed of its cubs than encounter a fool in his folly.

13 Evil will not depart from the house of him who returns evil for good.

14 Starting a fight is like letting water through [a dike] -better stop the quarrel before it gets worse.

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous -both alike are an abomination to ADONAI.

16 Why would a fool wish to pay for wisdom when he has no desire to learn?

17 A friend shows his friendship at all times -it is for adversity that [such] a brother is born.

18 He who gives his hand to guarantee a loan for his neighbor lacks good sense.

19 Those who love quarreling love giving offense; those who make their gates tall are courting disaster.

20 A crooked-hearted person will find nothing good, and the perverse of speech will end in calamity.

21 He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a boor has no joy.

22 A happy heart is good medicine, but low spirits sap one's strength.

23 From under a cloak a bad man takes a bribe to pervert the course of justice.

24 The discerning person focuses on wisdom there before him, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 A son who is a fool means anger for his father and bitterness for the mother who gave him birth.

26 To punish the innocent is not right, likewise to flog noble people for their uprightness.

27 A knowledgeable person controls his tongue; a discerning person controls his temper.

28 Even a fool, if he stays silent, is thought wise; he who keeps his mouth shut can pass for smart.

Proverbs 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

Verse 1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. Verse 2 . The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. Verse 3 . God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. Verse 4 . Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. Verse 5 . Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. Verse 6 . It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. Verse 7 . A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. Verse 8 . Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! Verse 9 . The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. Verse 10 . A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. Verse 11 . Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. Verse 12 . Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. Verse 13 . To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. Verse 14 . What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. Verse 15 . It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. Verse 16 . Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. Verse 17 . No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. Verse 18 . Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. Verse 19 . If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. Verse 20 . There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. Verse 21 . This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. Verse 22 . It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. Verse 23 . The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. Verse 24 . The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. Verse 25 . Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. Verse 26 . It is very wrong to find fault ( proverbs 17:27-28 ) wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.