Better a Dry Morsel with Quietness
1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
7 Arrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
1 Better a dry morsel in quietness
than a house full of feasting a with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold,
but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
4 A wicked man listens to evil lips;
a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor insults their Maker;
whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of a son is his father.
7 Eloquent words are unfit for a fool;
how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is a charm to its giver;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,
but he who brings it up separates friends.
10 A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment
deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone returns evil for good,
evil will never leave his house.
14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood;
so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—
both are detestable to the LORD.
16 Why should the fool have money in his hand
with no intention of buying wisdom?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge
and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife;
he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
20 The one with a perverse heart finds no good,
and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 A man fathers a fool to his own grief;
the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe b
to subvert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is the focus of the discerning,
but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 It is surely not good to punish the innocent
or to flog a noble for his honesty.
27 A man of knowledge restrains his words,
and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
28 Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning when he holds his tongue.
Footnotes:
1 a Or sacrifices
23 b Hebrew a bribe from the bosom
Better a Dry Morsel with Quietness
1Better is a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
2A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.
3A refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts is Jehovah.
4An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6Sons' sons are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons are their fathers.
7Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8A stone of grace is the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly.
13Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.
14The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
15Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these are an abomination to Jehovah.
16Why is this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
17At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.
18A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
19Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
20The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.
21Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
22A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.
23A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
24The face of the intelligent is to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.
25A provocation to his father is a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.
27One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!
