Proverbs
Chapter 17
It’s better to have a simple dry bread in peace than to have a house filled with shouting and feasting.
A clever servant will replace the foolish son of the master and share in the inheritance as if he were one of the brothers.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.
The malicious schemer pays attention to the words of liars; and the liar listens to the corrupt tongue.
He who mocks the poor insults their Creator; he who ridicules the deprived will not escape punishment.
The elderly’s crown is their grandchildren, and the grandchildren are their father’s pride.
Noble language does not suit the fool, and even less do lies suit a prince.
The giver of gifts holds a treasure; wherever he goes, he will succeed.
Whoever covers a fault fosters friendships, but he who reveals a word divides friends.
A perceptive man is more affected by a reprimand than a fool is by a hundred lashes.
The wicked man desires only rebellion; a harsh messenger will be sent against him.
It’s better to encounter a bear deprived of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness.
He who responds to good with evil will not remove evil from his house.
Starting legal action is like opening a dam; withdraw before the dispute explodes.
To excuse the guilty and condemn the innocent: both are detestable to the Lord.
What good is money in a fool’s hand? How can he buy wisdom? He has no sense.
A friend will love you at all times, but a brother is born for times of adversity.
He who makes many promises and bails out his neighbor is lacking sense.
The sinner enjoys disputes; the man of proud words hastens his own downfall.
A man who is double-dealing does not find happiness; a sneaky tongue leads to disgrace.
He who fathers a fool brings misery; there is no joy for a fool’s father.
A joyful heart promotes health in the body, while a sad spirit weakens the bones.
The corrupt man accepts bribes to corrupt the course of justice.
The wise man keeps wisdom in mind; the fool’s eyes are everywhere.
The foolish son causes worry for his father and distress to the woman who gave him birth.
It is wrong to fine the righteous; the noble should not be punished.
The prudence of speech is wise; he who keeps his temper is an educated man.
Then the fool, if silent, can seem wise; the clever man keeps his lips sealed.
Commentaries
Second Collection – Proverbs of Solomon.
The core and oldest part of the book begins with the title “Proverbs of Solomon.” In reality, scholars place this section shortly after the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC). Babylon had already entered Jewish territory, and violence increased daily. During this crisis, a group of wise men compiled a series of sayings and proverbs, some moral and others legislative, aiming to encourage the community and teach that the righteous—those who believe in the Lord and truly love him—will not suffer violence or death. Throughout this section, wisdom calls for conversion and justice, as well as the experience of poverty.
Second Collection.
Once again, wisdom is the alternative that human beings need to live well. It is not achieved overnight; it is necessary to allow oneself to be refined by it, to allow oneself to be molded. Once attained, those who possess it must be aware that they still need correction and must welcome it with joy to benefit from it. Every man and woman is called to seek wisdom. Even a slave, if he acquires wisdom, will be more important than a free son who is literally “headless” (2), which means that wisdom does not consider origin or social class. According to the teacher of wisdom, it is better to encounter a bear whose cubs have been stolen than a fool speaking nonsense (12); lack of wisdom diminishes a person’s quality.
Second Collection.
This passage begins and ends with two explicit references to injustice—those who acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent (15) and those who accept bribes to pervert justice (23)—figures that are all too familiar in our towns and communities. Just because these are standard practices does not mean we should accept them; we must denounce them by all means and make it clear that they are against God’s will and desire.
Second Collection.
Wisdom doesn’t come to us instantly; we must learn how to seek and find it. Only the wise person knows how to discover it and finds it very near; the foolish or senseless person doesn’t recognize it, even when it’s close by.