Proverbs 17
Proverbs 17:1-11:
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
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
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Proverbs 17:12:
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. |
Sixty-nine verses in the King James Bible include the word “fool.” The most well-known would probably be Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1; both tell us, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” The book of Proverbs contains more than half of the “fool” verses. It is interesting how Proverbs, a book known for its wisdom, repeatedly tells us how a fool behaves.
Time and space prevent us from looking at all 69 verses, but in general, there are several lessons taught about the actions of a fool. Proverbs 26:11 talks of how a fool will repeat the same foolish actions over and over again. Proverbs 26:4-5 both tell us not to argue with a fool. A fool will bring no joy to his parents. Proverbs 17:21 states, “He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.” The Bible points out that it is even better to meet an angry bear than a fool. Proverbs 17:12 says, “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.” A fool already has things figured out and will not listen to advice. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that harkeneth unto counsel is wise.” |
Proverbs 17:13-15:
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.
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.
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Proverbs 17:16:
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? |
We’ve all heard the adage of indefinite origin, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Humorist Will Rogers offered a somewhat different view: “A fool and his money are soon elected.” That observation, too, seems to have weathered well the passage of time. In fact, thousands of years ago the writer of Proverbs said, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom” (Proverbs 17:16).
The Scriptures have much to say about the perils of fools and foolishness. In the book of Proverbs alone, we find dozens of warnings and admonitions about lacking wisdom and choosing folly instead. For instance, Proverbs 10:14-15 is straight-forward in contrasting the speech of the wise and the foolish: “Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” Proverbs 15:7 makes a similar observation: “The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.” If you’re in need of wise counsel and sound advice, consider the source! --Bob Tamasy; Monday Manna |
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Proverbs 17:17:
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. |
First, a real friend loves you at all times (Proverbs 17:17), Second, a real friend will tell you the truth even when it hurts. (Proverbs 27:6,9), Third, a real is thoughtful in difficult times (Job 2:11), Fourth, a friend seeks to protect his friend (Acts 19:31), Fifth, a true friend betters his friend through friendship (Proverbs 27:17), Sixth, a real friend will put his life will put his life on the line for his friends (John15:13).
This is what Jesus did for us. He gave Himself on the cross to save us from our sins. He proved that He was a true friend to every one of us. It also proved His depth of love for us. -Cliff Henry; Greenland Baptist Church |
Proverbs 17:18:
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.
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.
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Proverbs 17:22:
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. |
Laughter lowers the blood pressure, reduces pain, relaxes our muscles, and burns calories. Laughter enhances our mental health by improving our mood, relieves feelings of anger and frustration, and helps reduce tension. Laughter also increases our energy, inspires hope, and adds joy to our life.
Take note of who makes you laugh and smile and spend time with them. Grab a cup of coffee with your jovial co-worker. Call up your goofy cousin. Social bonds and the benefits of laughter are well worth the effort. -Rick Stanfield |
King Solomon, the wisest man on earth, understood the connection of mind and health: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22); “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” (14:30). When It comes to keeping a positive attitude, “A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body” (15:30) - Juliana Muntz; Adventist News
Proverbs 17:23-28:
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
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
