# Proverbs 17 (New King James Version)
The Lord Tests Hearts

##### Chapter 17
###### 1 Better _is_ a dry morsel with quietness,  
Than a house full of feasting _with_ strife.

###### 2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame,  
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

###### 3 The refining pot _is_ for silver and the furnace for gold,  
But the Lord tests the hearts.

###### 4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips;  
A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

###### 5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;  
He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

###### 6 Children's children _are_ the crown of old men,  
And the glory of children _is_ their father.

###### 7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,  
Much less lying lips to a prince.

###### 8 A present _is_ a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;  
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

###### 9 He who covers a transgression seeks love,  
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

###### 10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise _man_  
Than a hundred blows on a fool.

###### 11 An evil _man_ seeks only rebellion;  
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

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

###### 13 Whoever rewards evil for good,  
Evil will not depart from his house.

###### 14 The beginning of strife _is like_ releasing water;  
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

###### 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,  
Both of them alike _are_ an abomination to the Lord.

###### 16 Why _is there_ in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,  
Since _he has_ no heart _for it?_

###### 17 A friend loves at all times,  
And a brother is born for adversity.

###### 18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,  
_And_ becomes surety for his friend.

###### 19 He who loves transgression loves strife,  
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

###### 20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,  
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

###### 21 He who begets a scoffer _does so_ to his sorrow,  
And the father of a fool has no joy.

###### 22 A merry heart does good, _like_ medicine,  
But a broken spirit dries the bones.

###### 23 A wicked _man_ accepts a bribe behind the back  
To pervert the ways of justice.

###### 24 Wisdom _is_ in the sight of him who has understanding,  
But the eyes of a fool _are_ on the ends of the earth.

###### 25 A foolish son _is_ a grief to his father,  
And bitterness to her who bore him.

###### 26 Also, to punish the righteous _is_ not good,  
_Nor_ to strike princes for _their_ uprightness.

###### 27 He who has knowledge spares his words,  
_And_ a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.  

###### 28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;  
_When_ he shuts his lips, _he is considered_ perceptive.