Proverbs 17

Proverbs · Chapter 17

Proverbs 17:28

1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.6Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: 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 it be meddled with.15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and 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 mischief.21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
alsoגַּ֤םgamH1571
also

גַּם (gam) 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike

a foolאֱוִ֣יל'e-VILH0191
fool(ish)

אֱוִיל (e.vil) 1) be foolish, foolish 1a) (subst) 1a1) of one who despises wisdom 1a2) of one who mocks when guilty 1a3) of one who is quarrelsome 1a4) of one who is licentious

[who] keeps silentמַ֭חֲרִישׁMA-cha-rishH2790B
be quiet

חָרֵשׁ (cha.resh) 1) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be silent 1a2) to be deaf 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to be silent, keep quiet 1b2) to make silent 1b3) to be deaf, show deafness 1c) (Hithpael) to remain silent

wiseחָכָ֣םcha-KHAMH2450
wise

חָכָם (cha.kham) 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

he is consideredיֵחָשֵׁ֑בye-cha-SHEVH2803J
to devise: design

חָשַׁב (cha.shav) : design/skillful 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered

[who] shutsאֹטֵ֖ם'o-TEMH0331
to shutter

אָטַם (a.tam) 1) to shut, shut up, close 1a) (Qal) to shut, stop (of lips) 1b) (Hiphil) of the wicked stopping their ears (fig.)

lips hisשְׂפָתָ֣יוse-fa-TAVH8193G
lips

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

discerningנָבֽוֹן׃na-VONH0995
to understand

בִּין (bin) 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.