Skip to main content

Scripture

Proverbs 17

WEBWorld English BiblewithASVAmerican Standard Version

Reading options

Reading options

Choose translations and a comfortable presentation. Scripture stays first.

Side-by-side comparison remains paired across screen sizes. Choose Always stacked when you prefer one full-width translation after the other.

Choose a Bible passage

Proverbs 17 Bible text

WEB: 1WEB

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

ASV: 1ASV

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

WEB: 2WEB

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

ASV: 2ASV

A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

WEB: 3WEB

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.

ASV: 3ASV

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

WEB: 4WEB

An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

ASV: 4ASV

An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

WEB: 5WEB

Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

ASV: 5ASV

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

WEB: 6WEB

Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.

ASV: 6ASV

Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

WEB: 7WEB

Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

ASV: 7ASV

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

WEB: 8WEB

A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

ASV: 8ASV

A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

WEB: 9WEB

He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

ASV: 9ASV

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

WEB: 10WEB

A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

ASV: 10ASV

A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

WEB: 11WEB

An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

ASV: 11ASV

An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

WEB: 12WEB

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

ASV: 12ASV

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

WEB: 13WEB

Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

ASV: 13ASV

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

WEB: 14WEB

The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

ASV: 14ASV

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

WEB: 15WEB

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

ASV: 15ASV

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

WEB: 16WEB

Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

ASV: 16ASV

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

WEB: 17WEB

A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

ASV: 17ASV

A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

WEB: 18WEB

A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

ASV: 18ASV

A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

WEB: 19WEB

He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

ASV: 19ASV

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

WEB: 20WEB

One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

ASV: 20ASV

He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

WEB: 21WEB

He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

ASV: 21ASV

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

WEB: 22WEB

A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

ASV: 22ASV

A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

WEB: 23WEB

A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

ASV: 23ASV

A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

WEB: 24WEB

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

ASV: 24ASV

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

WEB: 25WEB

A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

ASV: 25ASV

A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

WEB: 26WEB

Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

ASV: 26ASV

Also to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.

WEB: 27WEB

He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

ASV: 27ASV

He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

WEB: 28WEB

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

ASV: 28ASV

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.