| Chapter 17 |
1 |
Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife. --
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2 |
A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance. --
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3 |
A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah. --
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4 |
An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue. --
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5 |
Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted. --
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6 |
Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers. --
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7 |
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood. --
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8 |
A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. --
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9 |
Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend. --
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10 |
Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool. --
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11 |
An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him. --
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12 |
The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly. --
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13 |
Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house. --
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14 |
The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife. --
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15 |
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah. --
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16 |
Why [is] this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none? --
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17 |
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born. --
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18 |
A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend. --
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19 |
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction. --
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20 |
The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil. --
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21 |
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not. --
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22 |
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone. --
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23 |
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment. --
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24 |
The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth. --
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25 |
A provocation to his father [is] a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him. --
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26 |
Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness. --
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27 |
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding. --
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28 |
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent! --
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