Proverbs 17

Proverbs · Chapter 17

Proverbs 17:8

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
8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

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
[is] a stone ofאֶֽבֶן־'e-ven-H0068G
stone

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) : stone 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror …

favorחֵ֣ןchenH2580
favor

חֵן (chen) 1) favour, grace, charm 1a) favour, grace, elegance 1b) favour, acceptance

the bribeהַ֭שֹּׁחַדHA-sho-chadH7810
bribe

שֹׁ֫חַד (sha.chad) present, bribe

in [the] eyes ofבְּעֵינֵ֣יbe-'ei-NEIH5869A
eye

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

owners itsבְעָלָ֑יוve-'a-LAVH1167J
master

בַּעַל (ba.al) : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)

toאֶֽל־'el-H0413
to(wards)

אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

allכָּל־kol-H3605
all

כֹּל (kol) 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

thatאֲשֶׁ֖ר'a-SHERH0834A
which

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

he turnsיִפְנֶ֣הyif-NEHH6437G
to turn

פָּנָה (pa.nah) 1) to turn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn toward or from or away 1a2) to turn and do 1a3) to turn, decline (of day) 1a4) to turn toward, approach (of evening) 1a5) to turn and look, look, look back or at or after or for 1b) (Piel) to turn away, put out of the way, make clear, clear away 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to turn 1c2) to make a turn, show signs of turning, turn back 1d) (Hophal) to be turned back

he prospersיַשְׂכִּֽיל׃yas-KILH7919A
be prudent

שָׂכַל (sa.khal) 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)

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