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Chapter 17

AlexandrinusVaticanus

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

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

17:1 κρείσσων ψωμὸς μεθ' ἡδονῆς ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἢ οἶκος πλήρης πολλῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀδίκων θυμάτων μετὰ μάχης. 17:1 κρείσσων ψωμὸς μεθ' ἡδονῆς ἐν εἰρήνη ἢ οἶκος πλήρης πολλῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀδίκων θυμάτων μετὰ μάχης.
17:1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife. 17:1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brothers.

17:2 οἰκέτης νοήμων κρατήσει δεσποτῶν ἀφρόνων, ἐν δὲ ἀδελφοῖς διελεῖται μέρη. 17:2 οἰκέτης νοήμων κρατήσει δεσποτῶν ἀφρόνων, ἐν δὲ ἀδελφοῖς διελεῖται μέρη.
17:2 A discreet servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brothers. 17:2 A discreet servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brothers.

3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Yahweh tries the hearts.

17:3 ὥσπερ δοκιμάζεται ἐν καμίνῳ ἄργυρος καὶ χρυσός, οὕτως ἐκλεκταὶ καρδίαι παρὰ κυρίῳ. 17:3 ὥσπερ δοκιμάζεται ἐν καμίνῳ ἄργυρος καὶ χρυσός, οὕτως ἐκλεκταὶ καρδίαι παρὰ Κυρίῳ.
17:3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord. 17:3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.

4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue.

17:4 κακὸς ὑπακούει γλώσσης παρανόμων, δίκαιος δὲ οὐ προσέχει χείλεσιν ψευδέσιν. 17:4 κακὸς ὑπακούει γλώσσης παρανόμων, δίκαιος δὲ οὐ προσέχει χείλεσι ψευδέσιν.
17:4 A bad man listens to the tongue of transgressors; but a righteous man doesn't pay attention to false lips. 17:4 A bad man listens to the tongue of transgressors; but a righteous man doesn't pay attention to false lips.

5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; and he who is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

17:5 ὁ καταγελῶν πτωχοῦ παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ ἐπιχαίρων ἀπολλυμένῳ οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται·
ὁ δὲ ἐπισπλαγχνιζόμενος ἐλεηθήσεται. 		17:5 ὁ καταγελῶν πτωχοῦ παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ ἐπιχαίρων ἀπολλυμένῳ οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται·
ὁ δὲ ἐπισπλαγχνιζόμενος ἐλεηθήσεται.
17:5 He who laughs at the poor provokes him who made him; and he who rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless; but he who has mercy shall find mercy. 17:5 He who laughs at the poor provokes him who made him; and he who rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless; but he who has mercy shall find mercy.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

17:6 στέφανος γερόντων τέκνα τέκνων, καύχημα δὲ τέκνων πατέρες αὐτῶν. 17:6 στέφανος γερόντων τέκνα τέκνων, καύχημα δὲ τέκνων πατέρες αὐτῶν.
17:6 Children's children1 are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. 17:6 Children's children1\ are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children.
1i.e., "grandchildren"

6a N/A

17:6a τοῦ πιστοῦ ὅλος ὁ κόσμος τῶν χρημάτων, τοῦ δὲ ἀπίστου οὐδὲ ὀβολός. 17:6a τοῦ πιστοῦ ὅλος ὁ κόσμος τῶν χρημάτων, τοῦ δὲ ἀπίστου οὐδὲ ὀβολός.
17:6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even an obol coin.1 17:6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even an obol coin.1
1One of the smallest coin. 5 obols = 1 drachma

7 Excellent speech doesn't become a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

17:7 οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστὰ οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ. 17:7 οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστά, οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.
17:7 Faithful lips doesn't suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man. 17:7 Faithful lips doesn't suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it: wherever it turns, it prospers.

17:8 μισθὸς χαρίτων ἡ παιδεία τοῖς χρωμένοις, οὗ δ' ἄν ἐπιστρέψῃ εὐοδωθήσεται. 17:8 μισθὸς χαρίτων ἡ παιδεία τοῖς χρωμένοις, οὗ δ' ἄν ἐπιστρέψῃ εὐοδωθήσεται.
17:8 Instruction is a gracious reward to those who use it; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper. 17:8 Instruction is a gracious reward to those who use it; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.

9 He who covers a transgression seeks love; but he who repeats a matter separates very friends.

17:9 ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα ζητεῖ φιλίαν·
ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν διίστησιν φίλους καὶ οἰκείους. 		17:9 ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα, ζητεῖ φιλίαν, ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν, διΐστησι φίλους καὶ οἰκείους.
17:9 He who conceals injuries seeks love; but he who hates to hide them separates friends and kindred. 17:9 He who conceals injuries seeks love; but he who hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.

10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than 100 stripes into a fool.

17:10 συντρίβει ἀπειλὴ καρδίαν φρονίμου, ἄφρων δὲ μαστιγωθεὶς οὐκ αἰσθάνεται. 17:10 συντρίβει ἀπειλὴ καρδίαν φρονίμου, ἄφρων δὲ μαστιγωθεὶς οὐκ αἰσθάνεται.
17:10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, doesn't understand. 17:10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, doesn't understand.

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

17:11 ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακός, ὁ δὲ κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ. 17:11 ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακός, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.
17:11 Every bad man stirs up strifes; but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger. 17:11 Every bad man stirs up strifes; but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

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

17:12 ἐμπεσεῖται μέριμνα ἀνδρὶ νοήμονι, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες διαλογιοῦνται κακά. 17:12 ἐμπεσεῖται μέριμνα ἀνδρὶ νοήμονι, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες διαλογιοῦνται κακά.
17:12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will consider evils. 17:12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will consider evils.

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

17:13 ὃς ἀποδίδωσιν κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, οὐ κινηθήσεται κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ. 17:13 ὃς ἀποδίδωσι κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, οὐ κινηθήσεται κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ.
17:13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house. 17:13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water; therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

17:14 ἐξουσίαν δίδωσιν λόγοις ἀρχὴ δικαιοσύνης, προηγεῖται δὲ τῆς ἐνδείας στάσις καὶ μάχη. 17:14 ἐξουσίαν δίδωσι λόγοις ἀρχὴ δικαιοσύνης, προηγεῖται δὲ τῆς ἐνδείας στάσις καὶ μάχη.
17:14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty. 17:14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.

15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, even they both are abomination to Yahweh.

17:15 ὃς δίκαιον κρίνει τὸν ἄδικον ἄδικον δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ἀκάθαρτος καὶ βδελυκτὸς παρὰ θεῷ. 17:15 ὃς δίκαιον κρίνει τὸν ἄδικον, ἄδικον δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ἀκάθαρτος καὶ βδελυκτὸς παρὰ Θεῷ.
17:15 He who pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God. 17:15 He who pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

17:16 ἵνα τί ὑπῆρξεν χρήματα ἄφρονι;
κτήσασθαι γὰρ σοφίαν ἀκάρδιος οὐ δυνήσεται. 		17:16 ἱνατί ὑπῆρξε χρήματα ἄφρονι;
κτήσασθαι γὰρ σοφίαν ἀκάρδιος οὐ δυνήσεται.
17:16 Why has the fool wealth? For a senseless man won't be able to purchase wisdom. 17:16 Why has the fool wealth? For a senseless man won't be able to purchase wisdom.

16a N/A

17:16a ὃς ὑψηλὸν ποιεῖ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ οἶκον, ζητεῖ συντριβήν·
ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά. 		17:16a ὃς ὑψηλὸν ποιεῖ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ οἶκον, ζητεῖ συντριβήν, ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά.
17:16a He who exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he who turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief. 17:16a He who exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he who turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.

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

17:17 εἰς πάντα καιρὸν φίλος ὑπαρχέτω σοι, ἀδελφοὶ δὲ ἐν ἀνάγκαις χρήσιμοι ἔστωσαν·
τούτου γὰρ χάριν γεννῶνται. 		17:17 εἰς πάντα καιρὸν φίλος ὑπαρχέτω σοι, ἀδελφοὶ δὲ ἐν ἀνάγκαις χρήσιμοι ἔστωσαν·
τούτου γὰρ χάριν γεννῶνται.
17:17 You should have a friend for every occasion.1 Let brothers be helpful in distress; for on this account are they born. 17:17 You should have a friend for every occasion.1 Let brothers be helpful in distress; for on this account are they born.
1lit., "every season"

18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend.

17:18 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ἐπικροτεῖ καὶ ἐπιχαίρει ἑαυτῷ ὡς καὶ ὁ ἐγγυώμενος ἐγγύῃ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ φίλον. 17:18 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ἐπικροτεῖ καὶ ἐπιχαίρει ἑαυτῷ, ὡς καὶ ὁ ἐγγυώμενος ἐγγύῃ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ φίλων.
17:18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also who becomes a guarantor would make himself responsible for his own friends. 17:18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also who becomes a guarantor would make himself responsible for his own friends.

19 He loves transgression who loves strife; and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

17:19 φιλαμαρτήμων χαίρει μάχαις, 17:19 φιλαμαρτήμων χαίρει μάχαις, [ ὑψῶν δὲ θύραν αὐτοῦ ζητεῖ συντριβήν ].
17:19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; 17:19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; [but he who is exalting his gate is seeking destruction.]

20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good; and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

17:20 ὁ δὲ σκληροκάρδιος οὐ συναντᾷ ἀγαθοῖς.
ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος γλώσσῃ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά, 		17:20 ὁ δὲ σκληροκάρδιος οὐ συναντᾷ ἀγαθοῖς.
ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος γλώσσῃ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά,
17:20 and the hard-hearted man doesn't come in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs; 17:20 and the hard-hearted man doesn't come in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;

21 He who fathers a fool does it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool has no joy.

17:21 καρδία δὲ ἄφρονος ὀδύνη τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτήν.
οὐκ εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ ἐπὶ υἱῷ ἀπαιδεύτῳ, υἱὸς δὲ φρόνιμος εὐφραίνει μητέρα αὐτοῦ. 		17:21 καρδία δὲ ἄφρονος ὀδύνη τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτήν.
οὐκ εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ ἐπὶ υἱῷ ἀπαιδεύτῳ, υἱὸς δὲ φρόνιμος εὐφραίνει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.
17:21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father doesn't rejoice over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother. 17:21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father doesn't rejoice over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.

22 A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit dries the bones.

17:22 καρδία εὐφραινομένη εὐεκτεῖν ποιεῖ, ἀνδρὸς δὲ λυπηροῦ ξηραίνεται τὰ ὀστᾶ. 17:22 καρδία εὐφραινομένη εὐεκτεῖν ποιεῖ, ἀνδρὸς δὲ λυπηροῦ ξηραίνεται τὰ ὀστᾶ.
17:22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up. 17:22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

23 A wicked man takes a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

17:23 λαμβάνοντος δῶρα ἐν κόλπῳ ἀδίκως οὐ κατευοδοῦνται ὁδοί, ἀσεβὴς δὲ ἐκκλίνει ὁδοὺς δικαιοσύνης. 17:23 λαμβάνοντος δῶρα ἀδίκως ἐν κόλποις οὐ κατευοδοῦνται ὁδοί, ἀσεβὴς δὲ ἐκκλίνει ὁδοὺς δικαιοσύνης.
17:23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives bribes in his bosom don't prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness. 17:23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives bribes in his bosom don't prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

24 Wisdom is before him who has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

17:24 πρόσωπον συνετὸν ἀνδρὸς σοφοῦ, οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἄφρονος ἐπ' ἄκρα γῆς. 17:24 πρόσωπον συνετὸν ἀνδρὸς σοφοῦ, οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἄφρονος ἐπ' ἄκρα γῆς.
17:24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth. 17:24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who gave birth to him.

17:25 ὀργὴ πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων καὶ ὀδύνη τῇ τεκούσῃ αὐτοῦ. 17:25 ὀργὴ πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων καὶ ὀδύνη τῇ τεκούσῃ αὐτόν.
17:25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her who gave birth to him. 17:25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her who gave birth to him.

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

17:26 ζημιοῦν ἄνδρα δίκαιον οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐπιβουλεύειν δυνάσταις δικαίοις. 17:26 ζημιοῦν ἄνδρα δίκαιον οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐπιβουλεύειν δυνάσταις δικαίοις.
17:26 It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it godly to plot against righteous princes. 17:26 It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it godly to plot against righteous princes.

27 He who has knowledge spares his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

17:27 ὃς φείδεται ῥῆμα προέσθαι σκληρόν, ἐπιγνώμων·
μακρόθυμος δὲ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος. 		17:27 ὃς φείδεται ῥῆμα προέσθαι σκληρόν, ἐπιγνώμων, μακρόθυμος δὲ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος.
17:27 He who refrains to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise. 17:27 He who refrains to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.

28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise; and he who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

17:28 ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι. 17:28 ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι.
17:28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom; and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible. 17:28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom; and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.