Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents.

7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler.

8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper.

9 One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

10 A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person than a hundred blows into a fool.

11 Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs than to confront a fool immersed in folly.

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

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out.

15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

16 Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn?

17 A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

18 It is senseless to give a pledge, to become surety for a neighbor.

19 One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.

20 The crooked of mind do not prosper, and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.

21 The one who begets a fool gets trouble; the parent of a fool has no joy.

22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe to pervert the ways of justice.

24 The discerning person looks to wisdom, but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.

25 Foolish children are a grief to their father and bitterness to her who bore them.

26 To impose a fine on the innocent is not right, or to flog the noble for their integrity.

27 One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding.

28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or [a noble person]

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.