Peace, Wise Restraint, and the Testing of the Heart.

Proverbs 17 teaches that peace, righteousness, and wise restraint are far better than outward abundance joined with strife, sin, and folly. The chapter repeatedly shows that the Lord tests hearts, sees through corrupt speech and false judgment, and values integrity over appearances. It highlights the deep effects of relationships as well, showing both the strength of faithful love and the damage caused by betrayal, mockery, pride, and a stubborn refusal to receive correction. Again and again, the chapter warns that folly is not harmless, because it spreads grief, conflict, and ruin both within households and among companions. Altogether, Proverbs 17 calls the reader to pursue peace, guarded speech, faithful friendship, and a humble heart before God.

Proverbs 17:1 – 17:28

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