📖 Proverbs — Chapter 17 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Proverbs 17:1 Better is Ra dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of Tsacrifices with strife.
Proverbs 17:2 A Rwise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Proverbs 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Proverbs 17:5 Whoso Rmocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be Tunpunished.
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; Rand the glory of children are their fathers.
Proverbs 17:7 RTExcellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do Tlying lips a prince.
Proverbs 17:8 A Rgift is as Ta precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Proverbs 17:9 He Rthat covereth a transgression Tseeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 17:10 A reproof Tentereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Proverbs 17:12 Let Ra bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Proverbs 17:13 RWhoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Proverbs 17:14 The Rbeginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Proverbs 17:15 He Rthat justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Proverbs 17:16 Wherefore is there Ra price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Proverbs 17:17 RA friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:18 A man Rvoid of Tunderstanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
Proverbs 17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and Rhe that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Proverbs 17:20 RTHe that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Proverbs 17:21 He Rthat begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Proverbs 17:22 A Rmerry heart doeth good Tlike a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is Rbefore him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
Proverbs 17:26 Also Rto punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge Rspareth his words: and a man of understanding is of Tan excellent spirit.
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 17:1–10 — Peace, compassion, and teachability
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Quietness outweighs plentiful food with conflict. Mocking the poor reproaches their Maker, while a wise person receives rebuke deeply.
Key Truth: Value peace and receive correction.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house …” (Proverbs 17:1)
Find it in Proverbs 17:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ ’s children are the crown of old men; and the …” (Proverbs 17:6)
Find it in Proverbs 17:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “A ____ entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes …” (Proverbs 17:10)
Find it in Proverbs 17:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 17:11–19 — Justice cannot be inverted
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Rebellion, folly, and strife are exposed. Justifying wickedness or condemning innocence is detestable, even when it appears advantageous.
Key Truth: Judge fairly rather than conveniently.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Whoso rewardeth ____ for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” (Proverbs 17:13)
Find it in Proverbs 17:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “He that justifieth the ____ , and he that condemneth the just, even they both …” (Proverbs 17:15)
Find it in Proverbs 17:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “A friend ____ at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
Find it in Proverbs 17:17 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 17:20–28 — Thoughtful speech and focused wisdom
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Perverse hearts and tongues lead to trouble. Understanding guides focused attention, and restrained speech can be wiser than eager display.
Key Truth: Practice restrained and thoughtful speech.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “A merry ____ doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth …” (Proverbs 17:22)
Find it in Proverbs 17:22 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of …” (Proverbs 17:24)
Find it in Proverbs 17:24 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “He that begetteth a ____ doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a …” (Proverbs 17:21)
Find it in Proverbs 17:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
James 3:18 — Righteousness is sown in peace.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where can quiet restraint replace conflict?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why is a dry morsel preferred in the opening comparison?
2. What does the refining-metal comparison identify as the LORD’s work?
3. What effect does repeatedly spreading a transgression have?
4. What does releasing water illustrate about strife?
5. Which two judgments are both condemned?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation