The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Proverbs 17

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Proverbs chapter 17 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.” — the complete text of all 28 verses is below, free to read online.

1Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but HaShem trieth the hearts.

4A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

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

7Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.

8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.

10A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

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

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

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

14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break out.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an abomination to HaShem.

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?

17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.

21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.

22A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.

24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

26To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.

28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.

28 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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