Proverbios 17

1 Mejor es un bocado seco y con él tranquilidad, que una casa llena de banquetes con discordia.

2 El siervo prudente prevalecerá sobre el hijo sin honra, y con los hermanos participará de la herencia.

3 El crisol es para la plata y el horno para el oro, pero el SEÑOR prueba los corazones.

4 El malhechor escucha a los labios perversos, el mentiroso presta atención a la lengua detractora.

5 El que se mofa del pobre afrenta a su Hacedor; el que se regocija de la desgracia no quedará sin castigo.

6 Corona de los ancianos son los hijos de los hijos, y la gloria de los hijos son sus padres.

7 No convienen al necio las palabras elocuentes; mucho menos al príncipe los labios mentirosos.

8 Talismán es el soborno a los ojos de su dueño; dondequiera que se vuelva, prospera.

9 El que cubre una falta busca afecto, pero el que repite el asunto separa a los mejores amigos.

10 La reprensión penetra más en el que tiene entendimiento que cien azotes en el necio.

11 El rebelde sólo busca el mal, y un cruel mensajero se enviará contra él.

12 Mejor es encontrarse con una osa privada de sus cachorros, que con un necio en su necedad.

13 Al que devuelve mal por bien, el mal no se apartará de su casa.

14 El comienzo de la contienda es como el soltar de las aguas; deja, pues, la riña antes de que empiece.

15 El que justifica al impío, y el que condena al justo, ambos son igualmente abominación al SEÑOR.

16 ¿De qué sirve el precio en la mano del necio para comprar sabiduría cuando no tiene entendimiento?

17 En todo tiempo ama el amigo, y el hermano nace para tiempo de angustia.

18 El hombre falto de entendimiento se compromete, y sale fiador a favor de su prójimo.

19 El que ama la transgresión, ama la contienda; el que alza su puerta, busca la destrucción.

20 El de corazón perverso nunca encuentra el bien, y el de lengua pervertida cae en el mal.

21 El que engendra un necio, para su tristeza lo engendra, y el padre del necio no tiene alegría.

22 El corazón alegre es buena medicina, pero el espíritu quebrantado seca los huesos.

23 El impío recibe soborno bajo el manto, para pervertir las sendas del derecho.

24 En presencia del que tiene entendimiento está la sabiduría, pero los ojos del necio están en los extremos de la tierra.

25 El hijo necio es pesadumbre de su padre, y amargura para la que lo dio a luz.

26 Ciertamente no es bueno multar al justo, ni golpear a los nobles por su rectitud.

27 El que retiene sus palabras tiene conocimiento, y el de espíritu sereno es hombre entendido.

28 Aun el necio, cuando calla, es tenido por sabio, cuando cierra los labios, por prudente.

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]. Lit., Piedra de favor

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.