Proverbs 17
17:2 a Wisdom is so much more important than privilege that if children act like fools, a wise servant will rise to prominence over the household.17:3 b The Lord’s refining fire (see Ps 66:10 c; Jer 9:7 d; Mal 3:2-3 e) separates what is precious from the impurities in a person’s heart (cp. Prov 16:2 f; 21:2 g; 27:21 h).
17:4 i Lies (6:16-19 j; 14:5 k, 25 l; 25:18 m), gossip (11:13 n; 18:8 o), and slander (10:18 p) distort reality for malicious purposes.
17:5 q To make fun of what God created is to mock God.
17:6 r Only those who have been blessed with a long life live to become grandparents, and the continuation of the family line is a sign of God’s blessing (see Gen 12:1-3 s).
• parents: Literally fathers. This proverb applies to both fathers and mothers.
17:9 t Maintaining a good relationship with another person means forgiving rather than dwelling on faults.
17:10 u The wise will listen to a mild rebuke and act on good advice. Even harsh correction (a hundred lashes) will not change a fool.
17:11 v Rebellion flows from the inner character of evil people who defy the punishment that will follow.
17:12 w This saying cautions those who try to teach fools. A fool caught in foolishness will react with anger and violence.
17:14 x opening a floodgate: Once a quarrel starts, it is very difficult to stop it; a dispute should be avoided if at all possible (see 10:12 y; 15:18 z; 16:28 aa; 20:3 ab; 22:10 ac; 26:21 ad).
17:18 ae The essence of this message is repeated in 6:1-5 af; 11:15 ag; 20:16 ah; 22:26 ai; 27:13 aj.
17:19 ak high walls: Foolish confidence in the ability to win a fight emboldens people to engage in disastrous arguments.
17:24 al Wisdom is not a natural quality but must be pursued. Sensible people persistently cultivate wisdom, but a fool’s eyes cannot stay focused.
17:25 am Foolish children: This proverb is equally true of sons and daughters.
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