American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Proverbs 17
1
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Reference
2
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brothers.
Reference
3
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 48:10
Proverbs 27:21
1 Chronicles 29:17
1 Peter 1:7
Psalm 66:10
Revelation 2:23
References Lord
Jeremiah 17:10
Psalm 26:2
Zechariah 13:9
5
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Reference
6
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Reference
7
Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 29:12
8
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it: wherever it turns, it prospers.
Reference
9
He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.
Reference
10
A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 3:19
11
An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 18:15
13
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Reference
Evil
Romans 12:17
Psalm 35:12
1 Peter 3:9
Psalm 38:20
1 Samuel 24:17
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 12:10
Matthew 27:5
14
The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Reference
15
He that justifies the wicked, and he that comdemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 15:8
References Lord
Proverbs 6:16
Righteousness
Exodus 23:7
Isaiah 5:23
Proverbs 18:5
Amos 6:12
Romans 4:5
James 5:6
Amos 5:12
Amos 5:7
16
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?
Reference
18
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend.
Reference
19
He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction.
Reference
20
He that has a fraudulent heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 10:31
22
A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Reference
Good
Proverbs 12:25
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 7:10
2 Corinthians 2:7
Psalm 22:15
Spirit
Proverbs 15:13
Proverbs 18:14
24
Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Reference
27
He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 3:18
James 1:19
Proverbs 15:28
Spirit
Proverbs 14:29
Proverbs 16:32
Word
Proverbs 10:19
James 3:2
Ecclesiastes 9:17
Summary of Proverbs 17
Proverbs 17 presents a simple but powerful vision of what makes a life truly rich. Peace, loyalty, wisdom, justice, and self-control are worth more than wealth, status, or outward success.
The chapter begins by comparing two homes. One has little food but peace; the other has plenty but constant fighting. The message is clear: abundance cannot compensate for a life without peace. A peaceful home with modest resources can be far richer than a wealthy home filled with
The chapter therefore presents forgiveness and restraint as forms of wisdom. Not every offense needs to be repeatedly discussed. Sometimes love protects a relationship by choosing not to keep reopening an old wound.
At the same time, Proverbs does not confuse forgiveness with ignoring justice.
The chapter strongly condemns corruption. A person who accepts a bribe and distorts judgment damages something much larger than one individual case. Justice is supposed to protect the community, especially those who do not have power to protect themselves.
The chapter therefore places integrity above personal advantage.
A bribe may look attractive because it seems to give someone influence, but corrupt decisions eventually damage trust and society.
Another important theme is knowing when to stop conflict.
The chapter compares starting an argument to breaking through a barrier holding back water. At first, the opening may be small. But once the pressure is released, the situation can quickly become uncontrollable.
This is a powerful picture of anger and arguments.
Sometimes the wisest decision is not to win the argument.
It is to prevent the argument from becoming destructive in the first place.
This connects with the chapter's repeated emphasis on self-control. A wise person does not need to respond to everything. He does not need to prove himself in every conversation. He can remain silent when speaking would only make things worse.
The final verses emphasize this strongly: sometimes silence can make even a foolish person appear wise.
The deeper point is not that silence automatically creates wisdom. Rather, knowing when to remain silent prevents foolish words from creating unnecessary damage.
Proverbs 17 also recognizes the importance of the inner life. A joyful heart can strengthen a person, while a broken spirit can drain his strength. This reinforces the chapter's larger message that outward circumstances do not tell the whole story.
A person may have little and still possess peace.
Another may have much and live in misery.
What happens inside the heart matters enormously.
The chapter ultimately presents wisdom as a form of emotional and relational maturity.
It means knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
When to confront and when to let something go.
When to help and when to recognize danger.
When to forgive and when to insist on justice.
When to trust someone and when to recognize dishonesty.
Most importantly, Proverbs 17 shows that the quality of our relationships is shaped by the quality of our character.
Peace does not happen by accident.
Trust does not happen by accident.
Strong friendships do not happen by accident.
Healthy families do not happen by accident.
They are built through patience, loyalty, forgiveness, honesty, humility, and self-control.
The overall message of Proverbs 17 can therefore be summarized as:
Choose peace over conflict, loyalty over convenience, wisdom over impulse, justice over corruption, forgiveness over resentment, and self-control over anger.
A truly successful life is not necessarily the one with the most possessions. It is the one in which people can live with peace, maintain trustworthy relationships, act with integrity, and keep a heart that remains steady even when life becomes difficult. anger and resentment.
The chapter begins by comparing two homes. One has little food but peace; the other has plenty but constant fighting. The message is clear: abundance cannot compensate for a life without peace. A peaceful home with modest resources can be far richer than a wealthy home filled with
The chapter therefore presents forgiveness and restraint as forms of wisdom. Not every offense needs to be repeatedly discussed. Sometimes love protects a relationship by choosing not to keep reopening an old wound.
At the same time, Proverbs does not confuse forgiveness with ignoring justice.
The chapter strongly condemns corruption. A person who accepts a bribe and distorts judgment damages something much larger than one individual case. Justice is supposed to protect the community, especially those who do not have power to protect themselves.
The chapter therefore places integrity above personal advantage.
A bribe may look attractive because it seems to give someone influence, but corrupt decisions eventually damage trust and society.
Another important theme is knowing when to stop conflict.
The chapter compares starting an argument to breaking through a barrier holding back water. At first, the opening may be small. But once the pressure is released, the situation can quickly become uncontrollable.
This is a powerful picture of anger and arguments.
Sometimes the wisest decision is not to win the argument.
It is to prevent the argument from becoming destructive in the first place.
This connects with the chapter's repeated emphasis on self-control. A wise person does not need to respond to everything. He does not need to prove himself in every conversation. He can remain silent when speaking would only make things worse.
The final verses emphasize this strongly: sometimes silence can make even a foolish person appear wise.
The deeper point is not that silence automatically creates wisdom. Rather, knowing when to remain silent prevents foolish words from creating unnecessary damage.
Proverbs 17 also recognizes the importance of the inner life. A joyful heart can strengthen a person, while a broken spirit can drain his strength. This reinforces the chapter's larger message that outward circumstances do not tell the whole story.
A person may have little and still possess peace.
Another may have much and live in misery.
What happens inside the heart matters enormously.
The chapter ultimately presents wisdom as a form of emotional and relational maturity.
It means knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
When to confront and when to let something go.
When to help and when to recognize danger.
When to forgive and when to insist on justice.
When to trust someone and when to recognize dishonesty.
Most importantly, Proverbs 17 shows that the quality of our relationships is shaped by the quality of our character.
Peace does not happen by accident.
Trust does not happen by accident.
Strong friendships do not happen by accident.
Healthy families do not happen by accident.
They are built through patience, loyalty, forgiveness, honesty, humility, and self-control.
The overall message of Proverbs 17 can therefore be summarized as:
Choose peace over conflict, loyalty over convenience, wisdom over impulse, justice over corruption, forgiveness over resentment, and self-control over anger.
A truly successful life is not necessarily the one with the most possessions. It is the one in which people can live with peace, maintain trustworthy relationships, act with integrity, and keep a heart that remains steady even when life becomes difficult. anger and resentment.