> [[proverbs-16|← Previous]] | [[proverbs-00|TOC]] | [[proverbs-18|Next →]] --- # Proverbs, Chapter 17 ## Chapter 17 1 Better a dry crust with quiet ^proverbs-17-1 than a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over an unworthy son, ^proverbs-17-2 and will share the inheritance of the children. 3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, ^proverbs-17-3 but the tester of hearts is the LORD. 4 The evildoer gives heed to wicked lips, ^proverbs-17-4 the liar, to a mischievous tongue. 5 Whoever mocks the poor reviles their Maker; ^proverbs-17-5 whoever rejoices in their misfortune will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are the crown of the elderly, ^proverbs-17-6 and the glory of children is their parentage. 7 Fine words ill fit a fool; ^proverbs-17-7 how much more lying lips, a noble! 8 A bribe seems a charm to its user; ^proverbs-17-8 at every turn it brings success. 9 Whoever overlooks an offense fosters friendship, ^proverbs-17-9 but whoever gossips about it separates friends. 10 A single reprimand does more for a discerning person ^proverbs-17-10 than a hundred lashes for a fool. 11 The wicked pursue only rebellion, ^proverbs-17-11 and a merciless messenger is sent against them. 12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs, ^proverbs-17-12 but never fools in their folly! 13 If you return evil for good, ^proverbs-17-13 evil will not depart from your house. 14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; ^proverbs-17-14 check a quarrel before it bursts forth! 15 Whoever acquits the wicked, whoever condemns the just— ^proverbs-17-15 both are an abomination to the LORD. 16 Of what use is money in the hands of fools ^proverbs-17-16 when they have no heart to acquire wisdom? 17 A friend is a friend at all times, ^proverbs-17-17 and a brother is born for the time of adversity. 18 Those without sense give their hands in pledge, ^proverbs-17-18 becoming surety for their neighbors. 19 Those who love an offense love a fight; ^proverbs-17-19 those who build their gate high court disaster. 20 The perverse in heart come to no good, ^proverbs-17-20 and the double-tongued fall into trouble. 21 Whoever conceives a fool has grief; ^proverbs-17-21 the father of a numskull has no joy. 22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, ^proverbs-17-22 but a depressed spirit dries up the bones. 23 A guilty person takes out a bribe from the pocket, ^proverbs-17-23 thus perverting the course of justice. 24 On the countenance of a discerning person is wisdom, ^proverbs-17-24 but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, ^proverbs-17-25 and bitter sorrow to her who bore him. 26 It is wrong to fine an innocent person, ^proverbs-17-26 but beyond reason to scourge nobles. 27 Those who spare their words are truly knowledgeable, ^proverbs-17-27 and those who are discreet are intelligent. 28 Even fools, keeping silent, are considered wise; ^proverbs-17-28 if they keep their lips closed, intelligent. \* (17:1) A “better than” saying, stating the circumstances when a dry crust is better than a banquet. Peace and fellowship give joy to a meal, not the richness of the food. For a similar thought, see [15:16] and [16:8]. \* (17:2) Ability is esteemed more highly than ties of blood. \* (17:8) An observation on the effect of the bribe upon the bribe-giver: it gives an intoxicating feeling of power (“seems”). In v. [23] the evil effects of a bribe are noted. \* (17:9) A paradox. One finds (love, friend) by concealing (an offense), one loses (a friend) by revealing (a secret). In [10:12] love also covers over a multitude of offenses. \* (17:10) A wonderful comment on the openness and sensitivity of the wise and the foolish. One type learns from a single word and for the other one hundred blows are not enough. \* (17:11) The irony is that such people will meet up with what they so energetically pursue—in the form of an unrelenting emissary sent to them. \* (17:12) Humorous hyperbole. An outraged dangerous beast poses less danger than a fool. \* (17:13) The paradox is that to pay out evil for good means that the evil will never leave one’s own house. \* (17:16) The exhortation to acquire or purchase wisdom is common in Proverbs. Fools misunderstand the metaphor, assuming they can buy it with money. Their very misunderstanding shows they have no “heart” = mind, understanding. Money in the hand is no good without such a “heart” to store it in. \* (17:19) Build their gate high: a symbol of arrogance. \* (17:20) The saying employs the familiar metaphors of walking = conducting oneself (“fall into trouble”), and of straight and crooked = right and wrong (“perverse,” “double-tongued”). \* (17:23) A sharp look at the sly withdrawing of a bribe from the pocket and a blunt judgment on its significance. \* (17:24) Wisdom is visible on the countenance (i.e., mouth, lips, tongue) of the wise person; its ultimate source is the heart. Fools have no such source of wisdom within them, a point that is nicely made by referring to the eye of the fool, roving over the landscape. \* (17:28) Related to v. [27]. Words provide a glimpse into the heart. In the unlikely event that fools, who usually pour out words ([15:2]), were to say nothing, people would not be able to see their folly and would presume them intelligent. Alas, the saying is contrary to fact. a. (17:5) [Prv 14:31]. b. (17:13) ([[matthew-05|Mt 5]]:39]; [Rom 12:17]; [1 Thes 5:15]; [1 Pt 3:9]. c. (17:15) [Prv 24:24]; [Is 5:23]. d. (17:17) [Prv 18:24]. e. (17:18) [Prv 6:1] – [2]; [11:15]. f. (17:19) [Prv 15:18]. g. (17:22) [Prv 12:25]; [15:13]. h. (17:24) [Eccl 8:1]. i. (17:25) [Prv 10:1]; [29:15]. j. (17:27) [Prv 10:19]; [Sir 1:21]; [Jas 1:19]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[proverbs-16|← Previous]] | [[proverbs-00|TOC]] | [[proverbs-18|Next →]]