---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Proverbs from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 17
verse_count: 28
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Proverbs, chap. 17, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Proverbs 17

**1** Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
**2** A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
**3** The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts.
**4** A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
**5** Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
**6** Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
**7** Excellent speech becometh not a fool; much less do lying lips a prince.
**8** A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
**9** He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
**10** A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.
**11** An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
**12** Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
**13** Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
**14** The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
**15** He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
**16** Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
**17** A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
**18** A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
**19** He loveth transgression that loveth strife; and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
**20** He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
**21** He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool hath no joy.
**22** A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
**23** A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
**24** Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
**25** A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
**26** Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
**27** He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
**28** Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.