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Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17 emphasizes the value of wisdom, peace, and righteousness while warning against the consequences of foolishness, rebellion, and strife. It highlights how one's character and actions influence relationships and personal well-being.

Proverbs 17:1 (NKJV)
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

This verse contrasts peace with abundance, suggesting that a modest, peaceful life is better than one filled with excess and conflict. No amount of wealth or material comfort can compensate for the constant tension and strife in relationships.

Proverbs 17:2 (NKJV)
2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

A servant who displays wisdom can be elevated above a disgraceful son, even sharing in the family's inheritance. Wisdom and character are valued more than blood relations, and integrity can earn rewards, regardless of status.

Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV)
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.

As fire purifies metals like silver and gold, God purifies and tests the hearts of people. This testing reveals true intentions and character, much like fire reveals the purity of metals, showing that God’s focus is on the inner person.

Proverbs 17:4 (NKJV)
4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

Evildoers are drawn to deception and lies because they share the same corrupt nature. A person prone to evil will naturally gravitate toward deceitful conversations, revealing how one's character influences what they are willing to listen to and believe.

Proverbs 17:5 (NKJV)
5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Mocking the poor is seen as an insult to God Himself, as He is the Creator of all. Taking joy in the suffering of others reflects a hardened heart and will not go unnoticed or unpunished by God, who values compassion and justice.

Proverbs 17:6 (NKJV)
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

Grandchildren are seen as a source of pride and joy for their grandparents, symbolizing the continuation of family. Likewise, a father of good character becomes a source of pride for his children, as family ties built on integrity bring honor to all generations.

Proverbs 17:7 (NKJV)
7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

Just as it is inappropriate for a fool to speak with wisdom, it is even worse for a ruler to be deceitful. Leaders are expected to uphold truth, and their words carry great weight, so dishonesty from a ruler is far more damaging than foolish talk from an ordinary person.

Proverbs 17:8 (NKJV)
8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Gifts, like valuable stones, can open doors of opportunity and influence. To the one who gives them, they hold significant power, often bringing about favorable outcomes in various situations.

Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Forgiving and overlooking offenses promotes love and strengthens relationships. However, constantly bringing up past mistakes causes division and destroys friendships. True love involves grace and letting go of grievances.

Proverbs 17:10 (NKJV)
10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

A simple rebuke can correct a wise person, while even severe punishment does not change a fool. Wisdom is demonstrated by one's ability to accept correction, whereas a fool is resistant to change, no matter how harsh the consequences.

Proverbs 17:11 (NKJV)
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

A person who continuously seeks rebellion invites severe consequences. Their refusal to follow what is right brings harsh retribution, symbolized here by a "cruel messenger," likely representing the judgment or punishment that comes for persistent wrongdoing.

Proverbs 17:12 (NKJV)
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

Confronting a mother bear who has lost her cubs, known for its deadly aggression, is considered safer than facing a fool in the midst of their foolishness. A fool's irrational behavior is dangerous and unpredictable, posing a greater risk than even wild animals.

Proverbs 17:13 (NKJV)
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

Returning evil for good deeds brings lasting trouble upon oneself. When kindness is met with harm, it corrupts relationships and invites continual misfortune, reflecting the principle that such betrayal brings its own negative consequences.

Proverbs 17:14 (NKJV)
14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Once an argument begins, it can quickly escalate beyond control, just as water gushes out uncontrollably once a dam is breached. The verse encourages resolving issues early to prevent greater conflict and damage from arising.

Proverbs 17:15 (NKJV)
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

God detests perversions of justice, whether it is declaring the guilty innocent or condemning the righteous. Such actions undermine the moral order and show blatant disregard for the truth, which is why both are considered equally offensive to God.

Proverbs 17:16 (NKJV)
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

A fool may possess the resources to obtain wisdom, but they lack the desire or understanding to apply it. Without the willingness to embrace wisdom, having the means to acquire it becomes pointless, as the fool will not value or use it properly.

Proverbs 17:17 (NKJV)
17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

True friendship endures in every situation, while a brother, bound by family ties, is there to support in difficult times. The verse emphasizes the strength of both friendship and familial bonds, especially during hardships.

Proverbs 17:18 (NKJV)
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

Someone lacking sense will make reckless commitments, like guaranteeing a friend’s debt. Such impulsive decisions can lead to personal financial ruin, showing the danger of entering agreements without careful thought.

Proverbs 17:19 (NKJV)
19 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

Those who enjoy wrongdoing also enjoy conflict, while those who boast or elevate themselves invite ruin. Pride and the pursuit of trouble go hand in hand, leading to personal downfall and destruction.

Proverbs 17:20 (NKJV)
20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

A person with a dishonest heart will never find lasting success or peace, and one who speaks perversely will eventually face trouble. The verse highlights how deceitful thoughts and words lead to harmful outcomes.

Proverbs 17:21 (NKJV)
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

Raising a child who mocks wisdom and refuses correction brings sorrow and grief to a parent. A foolish child brings shame and disappointment, robbing the father of the joy that comes from seeing their offspring grow in wisdom and character.

Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Joy and a positive attitude are beneficial to one’s health, like a good medicine, while a crushed and despondent spirit saps a person’s vitality and well-being. Emotional health greatly impacts physical health, illustrating the importance of maintaining a joyful heart.

Proverbs 17:23 (NKJV)
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.

Secretly accepting a bribe to distort justice is a wicked act. It corrupts fairness and undermines trust in the legal system, showing that greed and dishonesty destroy the foundations of righteousness in society.

Proverbs 17:24 (NKJV)
24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

A person with understanding focuses on wisdom, making it a priority in their life. In contrast, a fool is distracted, constantly seeking far-off pursuits instead of valuing the wisdom that is readily available to them. This shows the difference in focus between the wise and the foolish.

Proverbs 17:25 (NKJV)
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

A foolish child brings deep emotional pain to both parents. The father experiences sorrow, while the mother, who carried and nurtured the child, feels intense bitterness over their destructive and senseless behavior.

Proverbs 17:26 (NKJV)
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

Punishing those who do right or leaders who act with integrity is unjust and harmful. Such actions oppose the principles of fairness and goodness, leading to social harm and moral decay.

Proverbs 17:27 (NKJV)
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

A wise person speaks thoughtfully and with restraint, understanding that words carry power. Keeping a calm demeanor reflects deeper understanding, as wisdom is often demonstrated through quiet reflection rather than many words.

Proverbs 17:28 (NKJV)
28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Sometimes silence gives the impression of wisdom, even in a fool. By holding back from speaking, even someone lacking wisdom can appear thoughtful and discerning, showing the value of knowing when to remain silent.

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