Proverbios 17

1 Más vale comer pan duro donde hay concordiaque hacer banquete^[a] donde hay discordia.

2 El siervo sabio gobernará al hijo sinvergüenza,y compartirá la herencia con los otros hermanos.

3 En el crisol se prueba la platay en el horno se prueba el oro,pero al corazón lo prueba el SEÑOR.

4 El malvado hace caso a los labios impíos,y el mentiroso presta oído a la lengua maliciosa.

5 El que se burla del pobre ofende a su Creador;el que se alegra de verlo en la ruina no quedará sin castigo.

6 La corona del anciano son sus nietos;el orgullo de los hijos son sus padres.

7 No va bien con los necios el lenguaje refinado,ni con los gobernantes, la mentira.

8 Vara^[b] mágica es el soborno para quien lo ofrece,pues todo lo que emprende lo consigue.

9 El que perdona la ofensa cultiva el amor;el que insiste en la ofensa divide a los amigos.

10 Cala más un regaño en el hombre prudenteque cien latigazos en el obstinado.

11 El revoltoso siempre anda buscando camorra,pero se las verá con un mensajero cruel.

12 Más vale toparse con una osa a la que le quitaron los cachorrosque con un necio empecinado en su necedad.

13 El mal nunca se apartaráde la familia de aquel que devuelve mal por bien.

14 Iniciar una pelea es romper una represa;vale más retirarse que comenzarla.

15 Absolver al culpable y condenar al inocenteson dos cosas que el SEÑOR aborrece.

16 ¿De qué le sirve al necio poseer dinero?¿Podrá adquirir sabiduría si le faltan sesos?^[c]

17 En todo tiempo ama el amigo;para ayudar en la adversidad nació el hermano.

18 El que es imprudente se compromete por otros,y sale fiador de su prójimo.

19 Al que le gusta pecar, le gusta pelear;el que abre mucho la boca, busca que se la rompan.^[d]

20 El de corazón perverso jamás prospera;el de lengua engañosa caerá en desgracia.

21 Engendrar a un hijo necio es causa de pesar;ser padre de un necio no es ninguna alegría.

22 Gran remedio es el corazón alegre,pero el ánimo decaído seca los huesos.

23 El malvado acepta soborno en secreto,con lo que tuerce el curso de la justicia.

24 La meta del prudente es la sabiduría;el necio divaga contemplando vanos horizontes.^[e]

25 El hijo necio irrita a su padre,y causa amargura a su madre.

26 No está bien castigar al inocente,ni azotar por su rectitud a gente honorable.

27 El que es entendido refrena sus palabras;el que es prudente controla sus impulsos.

28 Hasta un necio pasa por sabio si guarda silencio;se le considera prudente si cierra la boca.

Proverbios 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]. "banquete" . Lit. "sacrificios" .
• [b]. "Vara" . Lit. "Piedra" .
• [c]. "sesos" . Lit. "corazón" .
• [d]. "el que abre " "… " "se la rompan" . Lit. "el que abre su puerta, busca destrucción" .
• [e]. "el necio " "… " "horizontes" . Lit. "y los ojos del necio en los confines de la tierra" .

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.