Proverbs 17 MSG/NIV - Online Parallel Bible

The Message (MSG) New International Version (NIV)
1 A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels. 1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
2 A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family. 2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are assayed by God. 3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
4 Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip. 4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
5 Whoever mocks poor people, insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime. 5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents. 6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
7 We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders. 7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool-- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted. 8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and - good-bye, friend! 9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool. 10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long - they'll meet it coming and going! 11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly. 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
13 Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning. 13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
14 The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts. 14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to God. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.
16 What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it! One Who Knows Much Says Little 16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 It's stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay. 18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 The person who courts sin, marries trouble; build a wall, invite a burglar. 19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble. 20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt. 21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked take bribes under the table; they show nothing but contempt for justice. 23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
24 The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here. 24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
26 It's wrong to penalize good behavior, or make good citizens pay for the crimes of others. 26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.
27 The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm. 27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart. 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.