Proverbs 17:1-15

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices^[a] with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.^[b]

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent^[c] speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A gift is as a precious^[d] stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh^[e] love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10 A reproof entereth^[f] more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 17:1-15 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. sacrifices: or, good cheer
• [b]. unpunished: Heb. held innocent
• [c]. Excellent...: Heb. A lip of excellency
• [d]. a precious...: Heb. a stone of grace
• [e]. seeketh: or, procureth
• [f]. entereth...: or, aweth more a wise man, than to strike a fool an hundred times