PROVERBS 17


1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an 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 Yahweh 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.




9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

This does not mean a glossing over or condoning of what is wrong, but a proper, pure-hearted, sympathetic, loving approach with a desire to build up. Let us take heed that we do not stand at the judgment seat exposed before all as what Paul describes as "tattlers and busybodies" (1 Tim. 5:13). It is a very easy and common sin.

"Speak evil of no man"

is the command. Even in our proclaiming of the Truth, let us take heed. We are not judges or executioners, but humble messengers with good tidings of light and love and divine compassion and long suffering.

Bro Growcott - BYT 1.4



10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an 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.

A.D.S.-The first portion of your article is good, and will probably appear next month. We are not quite so sure of the wisdom of reviving Renunciationist quibbles by entering into conflict with their latest utterances. Such a battle is endless.

There is a time to cease, that edification may not be destroyed.

The Christadelphian, Feb 1887


15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to Yahweh.

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.

It is not edifying to hear a brother, whose usual habit it is to show coolness in regard to the meetings, and to the general well-being of the truth, sparkle up when a disturbance is on, and assert his voice and advice.

An ecclesia does well to think twice before receiving the counsel of such an one. His advice may be sound, but the chances are it will not be. A brother who can only be stirred to activity by noise and commotion is an unsafe man-his motive is carnal, and therefore dangerous.

A brother who has no disposition to work in quiet times-to support the meetings, to exhort and edify, and to make himself generally useful in the many and varied ecclesial requirements-is not a man to be relied upon when the brotherhood is passing through a critical and troublous time.

The truth's best and safest warriors will be found to be peace-lovers-men who know and value the advantages of peace-who engage in conflict solely as a duty, and then only sadly and reluctantly.

Love of the truth and love of the brethren-in time of peace as well as in time of war-are the traits that should be looked for in men elected to be ecclesial leaders and advisers; and these men should, if possible, be those who have had a hand in making the ecclesia, and whose heart is in their work.

Bro AT Jannaway

The Christadelphian, Jul 1901



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.

The power of hope is proverbially great


We see it in all the relations of life.‭ ‬Give a man a reliable ground of expectancy of good,‭ ‬and see how it wakes his sluggishness,‭ ‬and stimulates to effort.‭ ‬It makes all the difference between a heartless way of working and the opposite.

‭ ‬...We have all felt it.‭ ‬When we have been down and dreary through the monotony or anxiety of life,‭ ‬and some very good news has come to hand,‭ ‬how it has filled the heart with lightness and buoyancy.

‭ ‬Well there is that element in our calling.‭ ‬There is a good time coming,‭ ‬the assured belief in which will work wonders in a man's life.‭

The Christadelphian, Nov 1870



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.


Wherefore,‭ ‬my beloved brethren,‭ ‬let every man be swift to hear,‭ ‬slow to speak,‭ ‬slow to wrath:

 (Jms 1 :19)

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.