Proverbs
King James Version (KJV)


The actual, original, first printing of the 1611 King James Version (‘HE’ Bible) — Proverbs Chapter 17.
1 Better is a drie morsell, and quietnesse therewith; then an house full of sacrifices with strife.1
3 The fining pot is for siluer, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.3
4 A wicked doer giueth heed to false lips: and a liar giueth eare to a naughtie tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poore, reproacheth his maker: and he that is glad at calamities, shall not be vnpunished.5
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6 Childrens children are the crowne of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.6
7 Excellent speech becommeth not a foole: much lesse doe lying lippes a prince.7
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8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoeuer it turneth, it prospereth.8
9 He that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue; but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends.9
10 A reproofe entreth more into a wise man, then an hundred stripes into a foole.10
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11 An euill man seeketh onely rebellion; therefore a cruell messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a beare robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather then a foole in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth euill for good, euill shall not depart from his house.13
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15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust: euen they both are abomination to the Lord.15
16 Wherfore is there a price in the hand of a foole to get wisedome, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loueth at all times, and a brother is borne for aduersitie.17
18 A man void of vnderstanding striketh hands, and becommeth suretie in the presence of his friend.18
19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart, findeth no good, and he that hath a peruerse tongue, falleth into mischiefe.20
21 He that begetteth a foole, doth it to his sorrow: and the father of a foole hath no ioy.21
22 A merrie heart doth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.22
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome, to peruert the wayes of iudgement.
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24 Wisedome is before him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the ends of the earth.24
25 A foolish sonne is a griefe to his father, & bitternes to her that bare him.25
26 Also to punish the iust is not good, nor to strike princes for equitie.
27 He that hath knowledge, spareth his words: and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.27
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28 Euen a foole, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips, is esteemed a man of vnderstanding.28
Proverbs Chapter 17 Sidenote References (from Original 1611 KJV Bible)
1 Chap. 15. 17. , Or, good cheere.* Some content on this page courtesy of Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania